High Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign – ‘Know Your Numbers! Week 2021’ - 6-12 September 2021
No. 348/2021
20 August 2021
Our Ref: P31/21
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
High Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign – ‘Know Your Numbers! Week 2021’ – 6-12 September 2021
Blood Pressure UK – Know Your Numbers Week 2021 – ‘The Silent Killer’
This year Blood Pressure UK (The Blood Pressure Association) charity are launching their campaign and asking the nation “Do you know your risks of high blood pressure numbers?” ‘Know Your Numbers!’ raises awareness of high blood pressure, encouraging all UK adults to get a blood pressure check.
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, which is why it is often referred to as the silent killer. The only way to know you have it is to have a check. Therefore, the charity, supported by CWU want to encourage ALL members of the union and their family members to check their blood pressure, so if detected, it can be easily treated thereby reducing your risk of a stroke or heart disease.
‘Know your Numbers Week’ is the UK’s biggest and most far reaching blood pressure testing event and awareness week. Each year, hundreds of ‘Pressure Stations’ offer free blood pressure checks across the UK, enabling thousands of people to get a free blood pressure check. It encourages adults across the UK to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
You can find out more about ‘Know Your Numbers!’ via the charity’s website and contact details below or in the attached information and resources. ‘Know Your Numbers’ is the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event.
High Blood Pressure In The UK
High blood pressure is the biggest known cause of disability and premature death in the UK through stroke, heart attack and heart disease. One in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure and every day 350 people have a preventable stroke or heart attack caused by the condition.
About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure – also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension – increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. Prevalence of high blood pressure is highest in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40% of adults in many African countries thought to be affected.
However, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. In some developed countries, prevention and treatment of the condition, together with other cardiovascular risk factors, has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by:
reducing salt intake;
eating a balanced diet;
avoiding harmful use of alcohol;
taking regular physical activity;
maintaining a healthy body weight; and
avoiding tobacco use.
The Statistics:
5 million 1.5 million people have had a free blood pressure check during previous ‘Know Your Numbers Weeks’, the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.
120/80 An ideal blood pressure is under 120/80mmHg. Do you Know Your Numbers?
6 million 6 million people in the UK have high blood pressure and don’t know it. It could be you!
350 Every day in the UK, 350 people have a stroke or heart attack that could have been prevented. So get your blood pressure checked!
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department fully supports Blood Pressure UK’s mission that every adult in the UK should know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight. When you Know Your Numbers! you can take steps to look after your blood pressure and lead a long and healthy life.
Campaign Goals:
Greater awareness
Healthy behaviours
Improved detection
Blood Pressure UK (The Blood Pressure Association) Charity
Is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity – lowering blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart attack since 2000. High blood pressure can be treated and prevented and the charity is there to help.
Attached for your information are two information leaflets from the Blood Pressure Association (Blood Pressure UK):
Introducing high blood pressure booklet
High Blood Pressure: A practical guide leaflet
Further Information:
Blood Pressure UK Wolfson Institute Charterhouse Square London EC1M 6BQ
Phone:
General Enquiries: 020 7882 6255
Helpline: 020 7882 6218
Email: info@bloodpressureuk.org Website: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/
Membership
Over 90% of Blood Pressure Association members say that being a member of Blood Pressure UK helps them to manage and reduce their blood pressure. People can join to help manage their blood pressure. Membership costs just £2.00 a month (or £24.00 a year), and members get:
Three issues of BPUK members’ magazinePositive Pressure
A range of free booklets and information sheets
A bi-monthly email newsletter,’ePositive Pressure’
PLUS – the booklet ‘A-Z of blood pressure’
The objective of ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ and the ongoing aim of Blood Pressure UK is to reduce heart attacks and strokes. Specific objectives of the campaign are:
to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure and related complications;
to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals;
to encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure;
to create and enable healthy behaviours.
Blood Pressure UK is the nation’s only charity dedicated to lowering the nation’s blood pressure to prevent stroke and heart disease. For further information on Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ visit: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/know-your-numbers-week/
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer