Know your numbers and make a start to a healthy heart

In recognition of the national Know Your Numbers! Week campaign, Buckinghamshire Council is urging residents of all ages to get into the habit of regularly checking their blood pressure and making a start to a healthy heart.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease. When blood pressure is high over a long period of time, it puts a strain on the heart, blood vessels and other organs meaning the heart must work even harder to pump blood around the body.

The good news is that checking your blood pressure is easy. In Buckinghamshire, there are many easily accessible locations where you can check your blood pressure for FREE. These include:

• At Aylesbury Library and High Wycombe Library using a Health Station
• At local pharmacies
• At some GP practices
• In designated community and faith settings (no appointment needed)
• At home using a portable blood pressure monitoring kit. Library members can borrow these devices from participating libraries across the county.

Take a look at the full list of where you can check your blood pressure for free using one of Buckinghamshire Council’s health stations, pressure stations or by borrowing a portable blood pressure monitoring kit.

It’s never too early or late to check your blood pressure and take action. One in three Buckinghamshire residents have high blood pressure, and it isn’t only a concern for those getting older – knowing your numbers can help ensure high blood pressure is easily managed or prevented.

Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, commented:

“With busy lives and work schedules, taking a moment to check and record your blood pressure is not always the top priority. However, as symptoms often only appear when it’s too late, knowing your numbers can be the first step to preventing difficult health conditions, such as strokes, heart attacks, heart disease and vascular dementia.

“Our health and blood pressure stations located in community hotspots across Buckinghamshire are a great way to find out more about your heart health in a familiar, comfortable and private setting. Each station is equipped with helpful information ensuring residents are provided with the support and advice needed to successfully record their blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart. It’s important to take action early as it can prevent more serious issues arising in the future.”

Zahir Mohammed, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health, added:

“It’s also good to remember that a healthy lifestyle is essential for a healthy heart. A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and not too much salt, as well as regular daily exercise can keep your heart strong and your blood pressure at a healthy level. Stopping smoking and cutting down on drinking alcohol can also decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.”

For more information about making a start to a healthy heart, including; where to go to check your blood pressure for free, how to make sense of your blood pressure reading and what the numbers mean, and top tips on how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, visit the Love Your Heart Bucks webpage.