Know Your Numbers

By Joanie in Health Tips, Lifestyle Tips on 6 September 2022

Did you know that it’s Know Your Numbers week? This is an annual campaign to raise awareness of high blood pressure and to encourage all adults to get a blood pressure check.

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but over time it can lead to a number of health problems such as a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. The good news is that high blood pressure can be prevented and lowered with medications and lifestyle changes.

Did you know 1 in 3 adults in the UK have high blood pressure and around 6 million people in the UK have high blood pressure and don’t even know it? This is why knowing your blood pressure number is very important to get the help you need, at the time you need it. 

Know Your Numbers! week, is a great opportunity to engage with your own wellbeing, helping you understand the importance of stats like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. When the numbers for these stats reach unhealthy levels, they can lead to serious cardiovascular disease, which is often symptomless until something serious happens – like a stroke or heart attack. In fact, high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for strokes.

Since October 2021, community pharmacies across England have been offering a blood pressure check service to people over 40 as an easy and convenient way for people to get their blood pressure checked. Community pharmacies are easily accessible for most people, who can drop in without needing to make an appointment at a time convenient to them, or at the request of their GP. 

So why not get your numbers checked today? It could save your life!