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.
Most Read
- 1 Essex Eagles hit Glamorgan hard in Vitality Blast best
- 2 Uttlesford Local Plan delay 'necessary' say councillors
- 3 The Railway Arms awarded CAMRA county pub of the year
- 4 Wenden Junior Cricket Club embrace new cricket season
- 5 Tea party celebrates Saffron Walden Museum volunteers
- 6 Debden man fundraising for Mind with 480km walk
- 7 Junior Fencer from Saffron Walden wins silver at England Championship
- 8 Teen arrested for 'terrorism offences' at Stansted Airport
- 9 Dane's 10 day walk home with only a backpack
- 10 Saffron Walden maze is refurbished
"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.