August 2008

Patients and visitors at the Prosthetic and Wheelchair Centre at Aintree NHS Foundation Trust will have the chance to know their blood pressure numbers for free from 8-12 September as part of the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event, Know your Numbers! Week 2008.

The venue will be among 3,000 official ‘Pressure Stations’ offering free blood pressure checks across the UK during the week-long campaign run by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association from 8-14 September.

Staff will be on hand between 9.30am-3pm, from Monday 8 – Friday 12 September to give people free blood pressure checks and information from the Blood Pressure Association, explaining what the numbers mean and giving tips on how to lower blood pressure.

Dot Faux, who works as a nurse at the Prosthetic and Wheelchair Centre, said: “We know how important it is for everyone to be aware of their blood pressure numbers as cardiovascular disease has unfortunately led to amputation for many of our patients. Know your Numbers! Week is a great opportunity to offer free blood pressure checks, answer any questions they might have as well as give them information to take away which could potentially save them from serious illnesses.”

Mike Rich, Executive Director of the Blood Pressure Association, said: “To raise awareness during this year’s campaign we are asking ‘Are you at risk from the ticking time bomb?’ Uncontrolled high blood pressure is like a hidden time bomb which can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure.

“So take control and reduce your risk of the silent killer by having a free blood pressure check during Know you Numbers! Week. It’s quick, free and painless and could save your life.”

To find out more about the Know your Numbers! campaign, or for a free blood pressure information pack, visit the Know your Numbers! website at www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn or call 020 8772 4994. 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).

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information on Know your Numbers! Week or on high blood pressure, contact the Blood Pressure Association’s Press Office on 020 8772 4993/4984, or email mgederon@sgul.ac.uk.
For further information on blood pressure checks at the Prosthetic and Wheelchair Centre, to arrange for your reporter to have their blood pressure checked, or for a photo or interview please contact Liz Knight, Aintree Press Office, or Kenyon Fraser 0151 7069983.
The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation’s blood pressure. The charity provides information and support for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the condition. The charity recently won the healthcare category of The Charity Awards 2008 for its work on the Know your Numbers! campaign. For more information visit the charity’s main website at www.bpassoc.org.uk, call head office on 020 8772 4994 or contact our information line on 0845 241 0989.

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