Vikings play their part in blood pressure testing campaign
FREE blood pressure testing is taking place across Widnes and Runcorn as part of the Know Your Numbers! Week campaign.
Halton Borough Council has teamed up with Widnes Vikings to urge residents to find out if their heart is healthy at prominent locations.
A spokesman said more 13,000 inhabitants of Halton are thought to have high blood pressure but are unaware.
Despite having no obvious symptoms the condition is linked to at least half of all strokes and heart attacks and raises the risk of kidney disease and dementia.
Pharmacies often provide simple advice to keep it under control and measure it.
Blood pressure tests are quick, non-invasive and painless.
Halton’s health improvement team will offer free checks today (September 13) at Runcorn Shopping City, 10am-3pm and tomorrow 10am-1pm, and at Select Security Stadium today 10am-1pm and tomorrow 10am-1pm.
Widnes Vikings have urged their fans to take part and drop by the ● stadium for a check.
High blood pressure can usually be easily treated.
Cllr Marie Wright (health and wellbeing) said: “The message to people is to get your blood pressure checked and help to keep your heart happy.
“High blood pressure is a largely preventable and treatable condition but contributes to the leading causes of death.
‘‘Having your blood pressure checked is an important step to knowing and reducing your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”