Hundreds flock to get blood pressure checked in Saffron Walden

HUNDREDS of residents took up the opportunity to get free blood pressure checks at Saffron Walden Community Hospital. The offer to get counted was part of the nation s biggest blood pressure testing event and prompted 300 residents to head for their local

HUNDREDS of residents took up the opportunity to get free blood pressure checks at Saffron Walden Community Hospital.

The offer to get counted was part of the nation's biggest blood pressure testing event and prompted 300 residents to head for their local checking station.

Checks were provided last Thursday and Friday as part of the 'Know your Numbers Week' an annual awareness event run by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association.

SWCH staff nurse Melanie Grout in the outpatients department, who organised the local checks, was pleased with the turnout.

She said: "We saw 300 people over the two days, 185 women and 115 men. We found 22 men and 16 women with high blood pressure and they have been sent to see their GP for treatment and further management.

"Those with the highest blood pressure were men in the 55 to 64 age bracket, closely followed by women aged 75+, but we were surprised by the amount of younger people with high blood pressure.

"Having regular checks is the only way to know what your blood pressure is. It only takes five minutes and could save your life. Once people know their numbers from a blood pressure check, steps can be taken to lower them if need be."

For more information see www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn or call 020 8772 4994.