FREE blood pressure checks to combat stroke

IN a bid to conquer stroke, residents in the Thame area are being offered free blood pressure testing by the Stroke Association and the Rotary Clubs of Thame and Haddenham, at the Co-Op in Thame on Saturday, April 23, between 10am and 2pm.

Thame’s popular street cleaner, Alan Tippin, gets his free blood pressure check

Over half of all strokes are caused by high blood pressure. As well as having a blood pressure check, local residents in Thame, Haddenham, Chinnor, Long Crendon and neighbouring villages will also receive advice on steps to keep blood pressure under control and reduce their stroke risk.

Rotary representative, Sandy Davison, said: “Having a stroke can be devastating but people can reduce their risk significantly by paying attention to their blood pressure. Rotary is proud to support the Stroke Association’s Know Your Blood Pressure campaign because it is both simple and effective. The test takes a moment to do and potentially, it could save your life. Last year we held 1,680 events around the country and this year we are keen to reach even more people.”

Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said: “Having a regular blood pressure check is so important. Estimates suggest there could be almost seven million people with high blood pressure who are undiagnosed and at risk of having a stroke. Many people have high blood pressure without realising it because it often has no symptoms. High blood pressure is far more common than you would think and it can be deadly, but it is treatable. With events like this, together we can conquer stroke.”

In addition to the events taking place on April 23, there will be other blood pressure check events organised by the Stroke Association throughout the year.

To find out more about the Rotary Club of Thame and Rotary Club of Haddenham and District, visit their websites: www.thame.rotary1090.org and www.haddenham-rotary.org.uk