The Occupational Health Service is running a blood pressure clinic from 10 to 14 September 2012 for Know Your Numbers Week, in association with the Blood Pressure Association.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries. If it is too high over a period of time and is not treated you will be more at risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Approximately 30 per cent of people in the UK have high blood pressure which usually has no symptoms, this is why many people do not know they have it.
Many people believe that headaches, a red face and nose bleeds are symptoms of high blood pressure, when in fact it rarely causes these symptoms.
Who gets high blood pressure?
You have a greater risk if you have a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke. You also have a higher risk if you are of African Caribbean descent.
What causes high blood pressure?
There may be no single cause, but lifestyle affects your risk of developing it, particularly if:
- you don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
- you eat too much salt
- you aren’t active enough
- you are overweight
- you drink too much alcohol
What should I do next?
The only way to find out whether your blood pressure is raised is to have it checked. The Occupational Health Service will be running a blood pressure clinic from 10 to 14 September 2012 for Know Your Numbers Week in association with the Blood Pressure Association.
If you would like to book a confidential 10 minute appointment slot with one of our nurses please call ext 3187.
The nurse will advise you of your blood pressure reading and whether any further action should be taken. While you’re visiting Occupational Health, why not pick up a lifestyle pack?
Online resources
If you would like further information on blood pressure, please visit:
- Blood Pressure Association:
www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressure?gclid=COSN2YHgnbECFVQqfAod_Gehdw
- British Heart Foundation:
www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx
- NHS Choices:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx
