Public feels pressure in stroke campaign

May 2 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

WHEN was the last time you had your blood pressure checked?

Shoppers and passers-by were given the chance to have their blood pressure and general health checked when Rotary clubs and the Stroke Association marked Stroke Awareness Day in Frodsham and Chester.

In Chester’s Forum Shopping Centre 230 members of the public had their blood pressure checked by nursing students from University of Chester.

Of these, 39 people were referred to their GP and two people were advised to seek medical help urgently.

At Frodsham Parish Hall on April 19, 175 people volunteered for a blood pressure test by Frodsham and Helsby Rotarian Dr Richard Brook and fellow staff at Helsby Health Centre.

As a result of the tests, 67 people were advised to visit their GP.

Head of pre-registration nursing at Chester University, Paul Tubbs, said blood pressure tests can show up health problems before other symptoms become noticeable.

He added: “You can walk around with high blood pressure without knowing it. It is only when you have a test that you know the full picture.

“Yet if you are on the high end of blood pressure there are a number of potential effects which may manifest themselves immediately or in later life. At the worst end these extend into having strokes.

“For this reason I am supportive of the Rotary Clubs’ activities because they catch people who may not go to the GP otherwise so these symptoms might not be picked up.”

Free blood pressure checks are available at GPs surgeries, Lloyds pharmacies and other health centres.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Chester Rotary Club will release hundreds of bio degradable balloons in support of the Polio Plus campaign.

Balloon tickets are on sale from 9.30-3.30pm costing £1 each with prizes including a two day package for four people at Disneyland Paris, four tickets for Camelot Theme Park and a free family day pass for Chester Zoo.

The person whose balloon travels the furthest will win a hot air balloon flight.