Our Somerset is joining a nationwide effort to raise awareness about high blood pressure by celebrating this year’s ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ with a 24-hour blood pressure Test-A-Thon taking place across Somerset during 5/6 September.
During the Test-A-Thon, blood pressure checks will be taking place at workplaces including Hinkley Point and Jay’s Logistics, supermarkets including ASDA, and shopping centres including The Quedam in Yeovil and Angel Place in Bridgwater across a 24-hour period to make it easy for adults in Somerset to take a simple step that could prevent heart attacks, strokes and other major illness.
The 24-hour Test-A-Thon is being held as part of Somersets Take the Pressure off campaign which has already seen over 2000 people in Somerset receive free blood pressure checks in community settings and workplaces since the campaign launched in March.
Professor Trudi Grant, Executive Director of Public and Population Health, joint appointment between Somerset Council and NHS Somerset said:
“Our ‘Take the Pressure Off’ campaign aims to test the blood pressure of as many people as possible in Somerset between March 2024 and March 2025. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it is thought that about 40,000 people in Somerset have high blood pressure but don’t know it. It’s a really simple test so don’t wait – get tested now at your local community pharmacy or borrow a self-testing kit from your library that you can use at home; it could save your life.”
Know Your Numbers Week is organised by Blood Pressure UK, is focused on the theme “You Have the Power,” encouraging everyone to take control of their health by knowing their blood pressure numbers.
In today’s busy world, it can be hard to find the time to check your blood pressure, but it’s important, quick and simple to do. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, but many people don’t know they have it because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why high blood pressure is often called ‘the silent killer.’ By knowing your blood pressure numbers, you can make healthy changes or start treatment if needed to bring it down to a healthy level. The power is in your hands to protect your health.
Test-A-Thon Locations and Times – 5 September
As well as carrying out blood pressure testing at workplaces, our health teams will be at the following locations on Thursday, 5th September, as part of the 24-hour Test-A-Thon:
- 11am – 2pm: The Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil
- 2pm – 5pm: Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater
- 5pm – 8pm: ASDA Superstore, Taunton
These events provide easy opportunities to check your blood pressure and get advice on staying healthy. If you can’t attend the Test-A-Thon, you can borrow a blood pressure monitor for free from Somerset libraries to check your blood pressure at home. Free checks are also available at community pharmacies. Testing will also be available at various locations across the county throughout the rest of the year. More information can be found at https://bit.ly/blood-pressure-somerset
