Gordons Chemists | Free Testing for High Blood Pressure | Northern Ireland
‘Knowing your Numbers’ could help Save your Life
Gordons Chemists, Northern Ireland's largest independently owned pharmacy chain will be offering free blood pressure checks to people across Northern Ireland during the Blood Pressure Association’s national campaign 'Know Your Numbers!' week (10th-17th September).
All of Gordons Chemists 45 pharmacies in Northern Ireland will be running special Blood Pressure testing clinics throughout the ‘Know Your Numbers’ week (10th-17th September), in a bid to help make local people more aware of the dangers associated with high blood pressure. When uncontrolled and undetected, high blood pressure is the biggest cause of death and disability through stroke, heart attacks and heart disease in the UK.
More than 16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure – but 1/3 are unaware that they have the condition because there are no symptoms. The Blood Pressure Association, the UK’s Blood Pressure charity, calls this group the ‘Missing Millions’.
According to Helena Buchanan, Head of Health Promotions for Gordons Chemists, this fundamental testing at a community level could prove life-saving for many people.
“Our blood pressure measuring clinics will be quick, painless and completely free, but they could literal help to save lives. Thousands of people from across Northern Ireland are unknowingly suffering from high blood pressure, and subsequently are putting themselves at risk of serious illnesses and diseases.”
“As high blood pressure rarely has symptoms, the only way to know if you have it is to have it measured, and measured often.”
“Most people don’t want to trouble their doctor or go to the hassle of making an appointment just to have their blood pressure tested. This way we are bringing high blood pressure testing to their own doorsteps, which means there will be no excuse for not 'Knowing Your Numbers',” stresses Helena.
As well as offering high blood pressure testing, specially trained pharmacists from Gordons Chemists will be able to offer important advice on preventative measures, healthier lifestyles and proper diet and exercise regimes - to help you avoid high blood pressure and the problems it causes.
There will be over 2,700 ‘Pressure Stations’ across the UK offering free blood pressure checks during 'Know Your Numbers!' week in places as varied as shopping centres, health clubs, and the workplace, in addition to GP surgeries.
Commenting on Gordons Chemists involvement in Blood Pressure Association’s national campaign, Nickie Roberts, Executive Director of the Blood Pressure Association said: “We are delighted that Gordons Chemists are joining forces with us, to raise awareness about this important health issue. High blood pressure affects over 16 million adults in the UK and a third of those are unaware they have it. This condition can be treated and sometimes prevented, so there is lots we can do to reduce our risk from the ‘silent killer’.”
Helena Buchanan further added: "We can all do our bit to help reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, but 'Knowing your Numbers' is a vital starting point for everyone. A healthy blood pressure should read at a level of 120/80, but the lower the better. High blood pressure is diagnosed at 140/90 or above. If we detect anyone at this level or above we will automatically refer them onto their GP for further treatment and investigation.”
You are more at risk of High Blood Pressure if:
- You have a family history of high blood pressure
- You have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or kidney disease
- You are above your ideal body weight
- You are over 35 years of age
- You are a smoker
- You are taking the oral contraceptive pill
- You frequently consume alcohol
- You do not take regular exercise
Tips for lowering blood pressure:
- Have your pressure regularly checked
- Eat nutritious food, and the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day
- Maintain your ideal body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Avoid stress
- Cut down on salt intake and avoid highly fatty foods
Gordons Chemists Online also offer a Free Advice Centre – providing regularly updated advice and information on a wide variety of health matters. We also offer a free and confidential ‘Ask the Pharmacist’ feature – you simply email your query or concern and Helena Buchanan, pharmacist and Head of Health Promotions for Gordons Chemists, will respond to your question by email. Simply email your query to pharmacist@gordons-chemists.com.
Gordons Chemists Online also has a High Blood Pressure FAQs section.
* The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s Blood Pressure charity, and provides information and support to people with High Blood Pressure. The Blood Pressure Association also raises awareness about the prevention of High Blood Pressure. For more information visit www.bpassoc.org.uk.