Free blood pressure checks in leisure centres

It is part of a drive to treat more people with undiagnosed high blood pressure

Residents in East Yorkshire are being urged to take advantage of a scheme offering free blood pressure checks.

Know Your Numbers Week, which runs from 2 to 8 September, aims to encourage people to get checked.

High blood pressure increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Clinics are taking place at a number of leisure centres across the region.

Andy Kingdom, director of public health at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “About a quarter of the population has high blood pressure, and blood pressure tends to get higher as people get older.

“The good news is that there is a simple blood pressure check that people can do, and if someone’s blood pressure is higher than it should be there are ways to reduce it.

“Lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, physical activity and in some cases prescribed medication can all decrease blood pressure, and in turn reduce chances of long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke."

'Real benefit'

Clinics are taking place in Goole between 2 and 6 September, in Driffield and Bridlington on 2 September and in Hornsea and Beverley on 3 September.

These dates are followed by clinics in Haltemprice on 4 September, Withernsea and the Francis Scaife leisure centres on 5 September and South Holderness on 6 September.

People will also be able to get a test in Bridlington Harbour on 2 September.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, cabinet member for public health at the authority, said: "I’d encourage residents to take up the opportunities at our leisure centres and libraries.

“I had my blood pressure checked a few years ago, which led to me making some lifestyle changes, from which I’ve seen and felt a real benefit."

Blood pressure monitors will also be available for residents to borrow from libraries.

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