Be Well Tameside helping residents know their numbers

As part of an ongoing commitment to promoting community health and wellbeing, Tameside is gearing up to observe "Know Your Numbers Week." This initiative, supported by Be Well Tameside, aims to raise awareness about hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, and empower individuals to take charge of their heart health.

The Tameside Council-backed Know Your Numbers Week, a national campaign led by Blood Pressure UK, runs from 4 – 10 September and residents are encouraged to think about the risks caused by high blood pressure.

Currently there are 37,000 people in Tameside who are diagnosed with hypertension, along with a potentially significant number who don’t yet know they have the condition.

According to NHS data, around 50% of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Many people with high blood pressure feel fine, so it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

In most cases, there isn't a specific reason for the cause of high blood pressure, but most people develop it because of their diet, lifestyle, or medical condition. Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet, and drinking too much alcohol.

Most people with hypertension don’t feel any symptoms. Very high blood pressures can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, and other symptoms. Checking someone’s blood pressure is the best way to know if they have hypertension. If this isn’t treated, it can cause other health conditions like kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Be Well Tameside offers local support for those looking to manage their hypertension. Lifestyle changes such as eating more vegetables and fruits, being more physically active, losing weight if you’re overweight or obese, taking medicines as prescribed by your health care professional, and keeping appointments with your health care professional can help prevent and lower high blood pressure.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Tameside Council Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "As a community, it's crucial that we prioritize our health. Know Your Numbers Week provides a unique opportunity for residents to become aware of their blood pressure levels and take action if necessary. By participating in events like these, we can collectively reduce the risks associated with high blood pressure and work towards a healthier future."

Be Well Tameside is holding a couple of Know Your Numbers events at the following times:

• Clarendon Shopping Centre, Hyde, Wednesday 6 September, 10am – 2pm
• Tameside Hospital, Wednesday 13 September, 10am – 2pm

The events will offer blood pressure checks, advice on lifestyle changes, and support for anyone looking to manage their hypertension.

For more information on Be Well Tameside and the support available for hypertension management, contact them today at 0161 342 5050 or email bewelltameside@tameside.gov.uk. You can also get your blood pressure checked at your GP surgeries and some pharmacies. Anyone aged 40–74, can ask Be Well for a free NHS health check, which includes a blood pressure test.