The NHS in Gloucestershire is supporting Know Your Numbers Week, an annual campaign led by charity Blood Pressure UK, with a series of health check drop-in events where people can get their blood pressure checked.
One Gloucestershire’s Information Bus and the Outreach Vaccination and Health Team will be out every day from Monday 2 September to Sunday 8 September* at locations across the county.
People can drop in for a blood pressure check and a chat with members of the team about how to make positive changes to their health or wellbeing and get further support if needed.
A blood pressure check is simple, quick and painless, and it could save your life.
Dr Graham Mennie, local GP and Clinical Lead and Chair, Circulatory Clinical Programme Group, NHS Gloucestershire: “High blood pressure is a major cause of heart attacks and stroke. Around one in three adults have high blood pressure, but many don’t realise it because it often doesn’t have any symptoms until it’s too late.
“That’s why it’s so important to take the time to find out your numbers and start making healthy lifestyle changes or taking medicines if you need them to help bring your blood pressure down.”
In Gloucestershire, the Outreach Vaccination and Health team have given more than 1,250 blood pressure checks at drop-in health check events over the last year, with around 150 people referred to their GP for further support.
Oonagh Wilson, Clinical Lead, Community Outreach Vaccination and Health Team at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Know Your Numbers Week is a good opportunity to talk about the importance of being aware of your blood pressure. We all lead busy, often stressful, lives but taking some time to think about our health and wellbeing and understanding the importance of stats like blood pressure is key to preventing things like heart attacks and strokes.
“Our fantastic health team will be out and about in the community all week, offering simple health checks, including blood pressure, and chatting to people about simple changes they can make to their lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, improving their diet or increasing exercise.”
Community drop-in dates for Know your Numbers Week
Monday 2 September - Cinderford
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Tesco, Cinderford
Address: Dockham Road, Cinderford GL14 2AQ
Tuesday 3 September - Gloucester
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: The Cross, Gloucester
Address: Outside HSCB, Gloucester city centre GL1 1PA
Wednesday 4 September - Stow-on-the-Wold
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Stow, Market Square,
Address: Near Lucy’s Tea Room, GL54 1AB
Thursday 5 September - Cheltenham
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Pittville Pump Room, forecourt
Address: Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL52 3AE
Friday 6 September - Tewkesbury
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Morrisons, Tewkesbury
Address: Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5QG
Saturday 7 September - Cirencester
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Family Fun Day, Cirencester
Address: Kingshill School, Cirencester GL7 1HS
Sunday 8 September - Frampton on Severn
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Frampton Country Fair
Address: Frampton Court Estate, Frampton on Severn GL2 7EX
*If you can’t make any of the dates above, the Community Outreach Vaccination and Health Team will be offering blood pressure checks until the middle of September, the full list of dates are available here.
