Stroke Awareness

Over half of all strokes can be caused by high blood pressure.  As well as having a blood pressure check, local residents can also receive advice on steps to keep it under control and reduce their stroke risk.

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.

This is the first time we have done this but as an example, last year Fleet Rotary Club, with the invaluable help of 6 voluntary medically qualified nurses and pharmacists, tested 105 members of the public: 71 presented satisfactory blood pressure results; 32 were advised to see their doctor within 28 days; and 2 were advised to see their doctor within 7 days.

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.