Under pressure

11:50am Sunday 7th September 2008

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A PHARMACY in Penarth will be helping residents to avoid the blood pressure ‘time bomb’ by offering free blood pressure checks as part of Know your Numbers! Week 2008 (September 8-14).

Mayberry Pharmacy in Penarth Stanwell Road, is among 3,000 official ‘Pressure Stations’ offering free blood pressure checks as part of the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event, run by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association (BPA).

16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure - that’s one in three - but more than five million of them are unaware of it because the condition has no obvious symptoms.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes strokes, heart attack and heart failure, and can also lead to kidney disease and dementia. However, once detected, the condition can be successfully treated.

Mayberry Pharmacy Penarth will be offering free blood pressure checks in the branch Monday-Friday, September 8-12, 9.15am-5.30pm.

Paul Mayberry, of Mayberry Pharmacy, said: "The Blood Pressure Association’s Know your Numbers! Week 2008 is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure.

"Having regular checks is the only way to know what your blood pressure is.

"So we hope that local people will come along to our Pressure Station for a free blood pressure check to know their numbers and then lower them if they need to."

Mike Rich, Executive Director of the Blood Pressure Association, said: "We are delighted that Mayberry Pharmacy is taking part in Know your Numbers! Week 2008 to help raise awareness about this important health issue.

"During this year’s campaign we are asking ‘Are you at risk from the ticking time bomb?’ "That’s because uncontrolled high blood pressure is like a hidden time bomb which can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure.

"That’s why we are urging all adults to take control and reduce their risk of this silent killer by having a free blood pressure check during Know your Numbers! Week. It's quick, free and painless and could save your life."

To find out more about the campaign, visit the Know your Numbers! website at www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call the Blood Pressure Association’s Information Line on 0845 241 0989 (11am-3pm, Mon-Fri).