The Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is supporting a campaign to raise awareness about the health risks associated with high blood pressure.

Know Your Numbers Week, which runs from September 2 - September 8, is an initiative by Blood Pressure UK that encourages individuals to have their blood pressure checked.

A series of events are being organised across Humber and North Yorkshire to encourage residents to get free blood pressure checks. It's estimated that around 145,000 people in our region may have undiagnosed high blood pressure.

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Often referred to as the 'silent killer', hypertension rarely presents noticeable symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other severe illnesses.

Dr James Moult, a GP at Modality Partnership in Hull, emphasised: "Around one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not even realise it. That’s why getting your blood pressure checked and ‘knowing your numbers’ is so important.

“Whether it is getting your blood pressure checked at your GP practice, visiting your local pharmacy or measuring your own blood pressure with a home device – it’s the first step in helping us identify any issues that could put you at greater risk of serious ill health.

“If hypertension is identified, your GP practice will then work with you to make lifestyle changes and to manage your levels.”

Dr Anam Abrar, a GP at Scunthorpe's Ancora Medical Practice and the Clinical Lead for cardiovascular disease prevention in North Lincolnshire, has issued a stark warning: "Every day in the UK, 350 people have a stroke or heart attack caused by high blood pressure. We can prevent this.

“We believe every adult in the UK should know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight.

“If detected early, simple changes to lifestyle like healthy eating, reducing salt intake, cutting down on caffeine, 30 minutes exercise five days a week, reducing alcohol intake and stopping smoking and reducing weight can all help achieve a healthy blood pressure reading.”

There are several factors that can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure. These include:

  • your age – you’re more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older
  • having close relative with high blood pressure
  • if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background
  • having an unhealthy diet, especially one that’s high in salt
  • being overweight
  • smoking
  • drinking too much alcohol
  • feeling stressed over a long period of time

This year's national campaign is particularly focused on monitoring blood pressure at home, with the theme being 'You Have the Power'.

Home monitoring is an effective and inexpensive way for people to keep track of their numbers without the need to visit a healthcare professional. It offers people a way to take control of their health, feel confident, and take the pressure off the NHS at the same time.

If you discover you have high blood pressure, the good news is there are plenty of ways to significantly improve your health. Some ways include:

  • Adopt a healthy diet
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress
  • Monitor your Blood Pressure

Where to get your blood pressure checked

Hull:

Champions Health and Wellbeing event St Stephens Shopping Centre - 6 September

East Riding:

BP Kiosk in Bridlington Morrisons Supermarket - Ongoing

East Riding Leisure Centres:

  • Goole - Monday 2 to Friday 6 September, 10am to 2pm
  • Driffield - Monday 2 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Bridlington - Monday 2 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Hornsea - Tuesday 3 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Beverley - Tuesday 3 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Haltemprice - Wednesday 4 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Withernsea - Thursday 5 September, 10am to 4pm
  • Francis Scaife - Thursday 5 September, 10am to 4pm
  • South Holderness - Friday 6 September, 12pm to 4pm

North Lincolnshire:

BP checks at Scunthorpe Football Stadium - 7 September, 2pm onwards

Blood pressure stations:

St Johns Market - 4 September, 11am - 2pm

The Arc – Westcliff - 4 September, 10am - 3pm

The PODS - 7 September, 3pm - 5pm

North East Lincolnshire:

Nunny’s farm - Open day 31 August, 10am - 12

YMCA Humber, Freeman Street - 4 September, 10am - 12

Carers’ Support Centre - 2 September, 10:30am - 2:30pm

All Lincs Inspire members will be invited to request a Blood Pressure reading via the Home – Lincs Inspire from September 2.

For a full list of places, and to find out more information, click here.

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