PEOPLE in Droylsden have the chance to find out their vital blood pressure status after the town was selected to take part in a free scheme.
The Well Pharmacy, on Ashton Road, is one of 33 centres across the Manchester area taking part in the Know Your Numbers! campaign during July and August.
It will offer free checks and advice to anyone who visits after research by Blood Pressure UK revealed a massive 57 per cent of adults aged between 30 and 50-years-old living in the city do not know theirs.
Many may be living with undiagnosed high levels – increasing their chances of stroke, heart attack and heart failure.
Known as the ‘silent killer’ as there are often ‘no clues’ when it comes to it cause, it is the single biggest preventable cause of death in the UK.
Research shows eating too much salt is a major cause, particularly of the rise in blood pressure with age.
And experts believe the more people test themselves, the more chance they have of controlling it and avoid unnecessary premature death.
Amie Kendall, head of marketing at Kinetik Wellbeing – a monitoring devices provider that is spearheading this project, said: “Never has there been a better time to take control of your health by knowing your blood pressure numbers which, as evidence shows, can lead to a longer and healthier life.
“This exciting new initiative will not only help create more awareness locally, it will also empower and educate people so they can take proactive steps towards a healthier blood pressure.”
Phil Pyatt, chief executive of Blood Pressure UK added: “We are proud to be supporting this massively important campaign as having your blood pressure checked is the most important step that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.
“Given high blood pressure does not show any clear symptoms – hence being dubbed the ‘silent killer’ – all adults, regardless of their age, need to take control of their health by checking their blood pressure regularly.”
To find out which participating Well Pharmacies are taking part across Manchester, visit kinetikwellbeing.com/know-your-numbers-manchester.