Last Saturday the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Blood Pressure Advisors were at Southwater Comic Con checking people’s blood pressure.
Because anybody can have high blood pressure, even a Princess!
As well as a Princess, we had some scary characters, but even the tough guys came to get their blood pressure checked.
Jon Snow with Jaz, checking blood pressure 
Cinderella and Marian having a blood pressure check
Our advisors, Marian and Jaz, talked to parents and grandparents about why it’s so important to check their pressure, and to give people a free blood pressure check.
Over 50 people were tested on the day. A few needed to take home monitors on loan to confirm whether they needed treatment for high blood pressure. BHF information booklets on weight, diet and alcohol went down well with lots of those who couldn’t spare time for a test.
Blood pressure stats
- Almost 1 in 4 adults have high blood pressure
- In England, high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for heart and circulatory disease
- High blood pressure usually has no symptoms so people are unaware they have it
- The only way to know your blood pressure is to have it tested
- Half of all strokes and heart attacks are associated with high blood pressure
Find out more about high blood pressure – what it is, and what can be done about
Get checked
If you would like to check your pressure, the BHF Blood Pressure Advisors will be at:
- Southwater Library every Monday 10am-12noon until the end of October.
- Abraham Darby Leisure Centre every Thursday 5pm-7.30pm until the end of October.
Checking blood pressure in the community
BHF funding has allowed us to recruit and train two advisors who will take blood pressure testing into communities, raise awareness of why it is important to know your blood pressure, and loan monitors to people who have a raised reading and may need to go to their GP.
The Programme has a target of delivering 5000 new tests each year over 2 years.
We can test at your venue or business
As well testing people’s blood pressure in community venues, the BHF Blood Pressure Advisors will be testing at local employers such as police and fire service. The programme aims to target people at higher risk of high blood pressure and those who are unlikely to visit their GP unless they have obvious symptoms.
If you would like the BHF Blood Pressure Team to visit your site or venue, or have any questions about the programme, please email me – ann-marie.mcshane@telford.gov.uk.
By Ann-Marie McShane
Public Health Nurse
My husband had a Tia 2 months ago he is 66 and at the time,he was a smoker but now smokes a vape.his blood preasure is high !.at the last checkup it was 206 over 108.im really worried about him , I have to do his blood preasure twice a day.any advise please.
With blood pressure that high we would advise that you arrange to see a GP immediately, especially If your husband is experienced any headaches, chest pain, blurred vision or heavy breathing.