Somerset County Council’s Public Health Team has launched a campaign to encourage people to check their blood pressure.
In Somerset, it’s estimated there are about fifty thousand people with hypertension who do not know they have it. The campaign is aimed at giving people the chance to get treatment, lower their blood pressure and lead long and healthy lives.
As part of the campaign, blood pressure monitoring kits are being made available to loan free of charge from local libraries. The kits can be borrowed for up to two weeks, allowing people to check their blood pressure at home. Anyone discovering they have high blood pressure should take the results to their GP for advice on the best interventions.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and significantly increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Early detection and treatment can help people live longer and healthier lives.