Rotarians in blood pressure campaign

NORTH Devon Rotary Clubs will be joining forces with the Stroke Association to promote the Know Yoour Blood Pressure campaign on April 18. The campaign is to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke and, through local Rotary Clu

NORTH Devon Rotary Clubs will be joining forces with the Stroke Association to promote the Know Yoour Blood Pressure campaign on April 18.The campaign is to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke and, through local Rotary Clubs, to test the blood pressure of thousands of members of the public.People with high blood pressure are unaware of it unless they have a BP check, so the campaign encourages as many as possible to have a free BP measurement performed by a health Last year, nearly 3,000 were advised to see their GPs for more tests and a further 196 urged to seek medical advice immediately.Lowering blood pressure will reduce significantly the chance of suffering a stroke, so identifying individuals at risk will have a major beneficial impact on health.Braunton Rotary Club will be hosting the event in the Youth Centre by the main car park in the village centre from 9.30am on April 18 and the two Barnstaple clubs will be in the Pannier Market. At Bideford, the rotary club will be at the Atlantic Village.'One of the biggest challenges, says Dr Alan Cunnington, a retired consultant cardiologist and Braunton Rotarian, "is to help people to understand that a stroke doesn't just happen to other people, it can happen to anyone, at any age and the biggest single risk is high blood pressure. Rotarians are playing an invaluable role in reaching out to people and encouraging them to be aware of their blood pressure and the action they need to take if it's too high.