Pump it up, and make a start to a healthy heart!

In line with the global blood pressure awareness campaign, May Measure Month, Buckinghamshire Council has launched its own localised campaign encouraging residents to “pump it up” and make a start to a healthy heart.

“Pump it up, make a start to a healthy heart” looks to raise awareness of high blood pressure as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease and encourages residents of all ages to get into the habit of checking their heart health regularly. To pilot the campaign, health stations have been newly installed in Aylesbury Library and High Wycombe Library. The health stations can be used for free and offer people living, visiting, and working in Aylesbury and High Wycombe the chance to check their heart health - providing results for Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, perceived stress, and alcohol.

Councillors Angela Macpherson, Zahir Mohammed and Clive Harriss visited Aylesbury Library today (Tuesday 9 May) to trial the new health station and check their own heart health.

Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing commented:

“It’s great to see the new health stations in place at Aylesbury and High Wycombe libraries – and great to be one of the first to trial them in Buckinghamshire! With simple and clear-to-follow instructions, it’s really easy to check your heart health. The benefits of knowing what ‘normal’ results look like for you can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent against more serious illnesses in the future.

“We hope having the health stations available in libraries will provide residents with a familiar and friendly setting to check their heart health. The health stations have been built and positioned to provide privacy and there are informative booklets and flyers available to support anyone using them.

“Checking your blood pressure regularly is important for knowing how healthy your heart is. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Identifying this risk and taking action early can help prevent more serious issues arising.”

Portable blood pressure monitoring kits will also be available for library members to borrow from Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Micklefield Libraries, offering people the opportunity to measure their blood pressure in the comfort of their home.

Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said:

“Buckinghamshire’s council-owned and community libraries are great examples of popular and inclusive venues for our communities.

“Positioning health stations and portable blood pressure monitors in local libraries ensures they are accessible to people of all ages throughout the county. And best of all, joining your local library is completely free and opens up the additional benefits of being able to borrow books, blood pressure monitors and other resources too.”

Find out how to become a member of your local library for free, either online or by visiting your local Buckinghamshire Council library.

Zahir Mohammed, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health added,

“This is an excellent initiative working to address health inequalities across the county. It follows the successful launch of the 'Love Your Heart Bucks' campaign which promotes the simple steps you can take to keep your heart healthy, and where you can find local support to make further lifestyle changes.”

For more information and to make a start to a healthy heart, visit Love Your Heart Bucks.