Blood Pressure UK

Published:

3 October 2017

Every month, around 70 people under the age of 75 will have a stroke or heart attack in the UK. Although it’s not widely known, most strokes are preventable and many are due to high blood pressure. That’s why for this year’s Know Your Numbers! Week we urged the public to Know Your Numbers! regardless of your age.

High blood pressure has no symptoms, which is why you need to get it checked. Know Your Numbers! Week is our annual flagship campaign where Pressure Stations all around the country offer free blood pressure checks. This year’s event took place from 18-24 September and marked the end of our 2017 campaign to STOP Stroke.

Pressure Stations reached out to colleagues and communities across the UK

Pharmacies, leisure centers and health teams ran Pressure Stations. Over 15 prisons took part, checking the blood pressures of both staff and prisoners. The event improved health and boosted moral.

“It was an interesting campaign and well worth the effort” and “Thank you Blood Pressure UK for making Know Your Numbers! Week a success.” Frimley Health NHS Trust

“Always a good exercise to promote good lifestyle and health awareness.” AAF International

“This was a well-received event and I will be running another next year.” Pfizer

Thank you to the Royal Mail, the press, and those who shared on social media

We’re extremely grateful to Royal Mail who stamped a Know Your Numbers! Week post mark on all mail for the whole week.

big thank you also to The Daily Express, The Mirror, The Sunday Mirror and The Sunday Mirror Ulster for featuring the campaign.

There was a real buzz on twitter with the hashtag #KnowYourNumbers trending on launch day. PHE, NHS groups and local public health teams all promoted the free pressure checks and offered healthy living advice. Here’s a few of our favourites:

@FHFT_wellbeing tweeted: Well that's our week done @FrimleyHealth @BloodPress_UK we found 113 people with raised BP and requiring follow up with GP/Lifestyle advice

@Eventos2017 tweeted: @BloodPress_UK Blood Pressure - You're Going Down! Know Your Numbers! Week 18-24 Sept 2017

@MandyPR tweeted: know how much you weigh [tick], know your PIN number [tick] know your blood pressure [tick] ‪@BloodPress_UK‪ @OmronHealthEU #KnowYourNumbers

Life lessons from people who’ve had a stroke

Frances was 50 when she had a stroke last year, and Jon was just 39 when he had his. They explain how they’re recovering, what they’ve learned, and why it’s so important you get a check and take care of your blood pressure.

Why is stroke affecting younger people?

While there has been an overall drop in the number of strokes every year, the proportion affecting people under 65 has risen as more and more people in their 30s, 40s and 50s are diagnosed with high blood pressure.

An unhealthy lifestyle including a poor diet and lack of exercise or physical activity is behind the epidemic. Around one in three adults now have high blood pressure although around 6.5million don’t know it, meaning they’re not getting the treatment or support they need.

You can lower your blood pressure and your risk of stroke

You can start taking control of your blood pressure today, no matter what your age. Some of the best things you can do are:

Lower your salt intake
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Get to or maintain a healthy weight
Get more active
Drink alcohol only in moderation

Find out more on how to lower your blood pressure.

Know Your Numbers! Week takes on early stroke