Be Well Tameside offering support for Know Your Numbers Week

TO raise awareness of ‘Know Your Numbers’ week, Be Well Tameside will be holding an information and advice stall offering free blood pressure checks along with support.

Know Your Numbers week, which runs from 2 to 8 September, is an annual campaign run by Blood Pressure UK to reach those who have high blood pressure and aren’t aware, so they can get the treatment they need to get it under control.

Residents will have the chance to have a chat about their blood pressure numbers with Be Well Tameside advisors on Wednesday 4 September, from 10am till 2pm, at Tameside General Hospital, Hartshead building (outside the restaurant).

This year’s theme is ‘you have the power’ aimed at encouraging everyone to measure their blood pressure from the comfort of their own homes.

Knowing your numbers means residents with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be supported to make healthy changes to help prevent heart attacks, strokes and other illnesses.

Be Well Tameside offers local support for those looking to manage their hypertension. Day to day 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.

Blood pressure is important no matter the age. Around a third of people in the UK have high blood pressure, and around a third of those people don’t realise this, as it doesn’t have any symptoms, so the only way to find out is to check your blood pressure regularly. Very high blood pressures can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, and other symptoms.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, said: “We’re urging residents to come along to Be Well Tameside’s stall to get their blood pressure checked, as well as have a chat with our advisors regarding your health and wellbeing. It’s better to know as early as possible if there is an issue with your blood pressure so you can take preventative measures and positive steps towards a healthier future. Be Well Tameside have lots of great tips and advice to support you.”

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 or visit www.tameside.gov.uk/bewelltameside

You can also get your blood pressure checked at your GP surgeries and some pharmacies. Blood pressure monitors are also affordable to buy if residents choose to get into the routine of checking their blood pressure regularly at home. Anyone aged 40–74, can ask Be Well for a free NHS health check, which includes a blood pressure test.