NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be supporting Know Your Numbers! Week from 10-16 September through their Leeds Blood Pressure Wise campaign.
Know Your Numbers! Week encourages people to know what their blood pressure is. High blood pressure affects up to 90,000 people in Leeds (1). It is a silent and potentially deadly condition that significantly increases a person’s chance of a heart attack or stroke. In the UK, high blood pressure is the second biggest risk factor for premature death and disability (3).
Leeds Blood Pressure Wise is funded by the British Heart Foundation and supported by Leeds City Council and NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It aims to increase detection of undiagnosed hypertension, targeting people who may not attend the GP. The campaign encourages eligible people to visit participating pharmacies and ask for a free blood pressure check (2). Anyone who is found to have raised blood pressure will have this followed up by their GP surgery.
Philomena Corrigan, Chief Executive of NHS Leeds CCG, said: “Know Your Numbers! Week is a great idea because the only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked, and locally we’re delivering the Leeds Blood Pressure Wise campaign. All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.”
Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing at Leeds City Council, added: “Leeds Blood Pressure Wise campaign is a great opportunity for people to find out what their blood pressure is and then take whatever action they need if the tests show they have high blood pressure. With ambition we have for Leeds to be the best city in the UK for health and wellbeing, everyone taking a test can help play a part in making that ambition a reality.”
The Leeds Blood Pressure Wise campaign will last for two years and it is expected that 2,400 blood pressure checks will be completed at the six participating pharmacies.
To find out more about the Leeds Blood Pressure Wise campaign and which pharmacies are participating visit: www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/campaigns/lbpw
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References
(1) Cardiovascular disease data and analysis: guide for health professionals can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cardiovascular-disease-data-and-analysis-a-guide-for-health-professionals
(2) To be eligible for the free blood pressure check patients must:
- Be over 35 (NB. We are targeting over 35s but we will not exclude under 35s)
- Have no long-term health conditions that involve an annual blood pressure check (e.g. heart disease, diabetes)
- Not be pregnant
- Not have had a blood pressure check at a GP practice in the last 12 months
- Not have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
- The participating pharmacies are:
- Belle Isle Pharmacy, 219 Middleton Road, LS10 3HU
- Manor Park Pharmacy, Bellmount Close, Bramley, LS13 2UP
- Khan Pharmacy, 168 Roundhay Road, LS8 5PZ
- Oakwood Lane Pharmacy, 2 Amberton Terrace, LS8 3BZ
- Well Pharmacy, Bramley, 35 Bramley Centre, LS13 2ET
- Imaan Pharmacy, 262-266 Harehills Lane, Harehills, LS9 7BD
(3) Visit Direct.gov – Health matters: combating high blood pressure for more information:
The British Heart Foundation
For over 50 years the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Their work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need their help; from babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives. For more information, visit bhf.org.uk.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. More than one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many won’t realise it.
Causes of high blood pressure
It’s not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but certain things can increase your risk.
You’re at an increased risk of high blood pressure if you:
- are over the age of 65
- are overweight or obese
- are of African or Caribbean descent
- have a relative with high blood pressure
- eat too much salt and don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
- don’t do enough exercise
- drink too much alcohol or caffeine
- smoke
- don’t get much sleep or have disturbed sleep
Reduce your blood pressure
Making healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high. You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by:
- losing weight if you need to
- reducing the amount of salt you eat
- exercising regularly
- eating a healthy diet
- cutting back if you drink too much alcohol
- cutting down on caffeine
- stopping smoking
View the following link for more information on high blood pressure: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: [email protected]