Sefton Council is supporting next week’s national Know Your Numbers! week and encouraging people to check out their blood pressure.

Getting a blood pressure check is the first step to preventing heart attacks and strokes. Six million in the UK have high blood pressure and don’t know it and every day in the UK, 350 people have a stroke or heart attack that could have been prevented.

Know Your Numbers! Week, which takes place from Monday 4^th to Sunday 10th September will be focusing on the easiest way for people to find out their blood pressure numbers as the first step to preventing heart attacks and strokes.

To find out more, including a postcode search for  the nearest place they can get a blood pressure check, people should visit www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said:
“Because it often has no symptoms and therefore gives no warning, high blood pressure has been called ‘the silent killer’.

“As this campaign makes clear, knowing your blood pressure numbers is a key way of heading off a stroke or heart attack resulting by finding out your blood pressure and if it is too high, taking measures to bring it down to a safe level.”

High blood pressure can often be reduced by making healthy lifestyle changes, although for some it may involve taking medicines.

Hemini Bharadia, Blood Pressure UK Marketing Manager said: “It’s never too early or late to start checking your blood pressure – it’s important at every age”.

“High blood pressure is not simply a part of growing old. Checking your blood pressure is a great way to prioritise your health and get one up on the ‘silent killer’.

“And even better - encourage your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to measure their blood pressure, too.”

You can use this link to find out more about Know Your Numbers Week.