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27th October 2016

Bradford’s blood pressure campaign takes to the airwaves

Bradford’s Healthy Hearts’ latest campaign to encourage people to get their blood pressure checked is taking to the airwaves at the end of the month.

The message will play out on Pulse Radio for six weeks from 31 October – to back up Healthy Hearts’ call for everyone to know their blood pressure numbers and take steps to reduce them if they’re too high.

It’s all part of the Bradford’s Healthy Hearts campaign which aims to raise awareness of heart disease and how people can help reduce their risk. And it builds on the fantastic #Love Bradford event in September when the CCG launched the blood pressure campaign.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but two or more readings over 140 and/or over 90 is high blood pressure and you should see your GP. Sustained high blood pressure can damage the heart and increase the risk of stroke.

With over 40,000 people diagnosed with high blood pressure and an estimated 50,000 more people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in Bradford, NHS Bradford Districts CCG is focusing on making everyone more aware of the condition.

People can get their blood pressure checked by their practice nurse, at many pharmacies or with a home monitor.

There’s plenty that people can do to reduce their risk by exercising, eating more healthily, cutting down alcohol, quitting smoking and reducing stress.

Bradford has one of the worst death rates from heart disease in England; that’s why one of the CCG’s main priorities is to reduce the number of deaths caused by heart attack and stroke.

Its Healthy Hearts campaign has already potentially prevented 131 heart attacks and 74 strokes, helped over 6,000 patients to switch statins and reduce their cholesterol risk, and started 1,000 patients with irregular heartbeats on blood clotting prevention medication.

Dr Chris Harris, long-term conditions lead at the CCG, said: “The radio campaign is a great way of getting across a serious health message which could help thousands of people.

“GPs in Bradford are pulling out all the stops to reduce the number of people suffering from cardiovascular disease, and getting more people to have their blood pressure checked – by a practice nurse, pharmacist or using a home blood pressure monitor – could further reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.”

Stroke will also be under the spotlight this weekend with World Stroke Day on Saturday (29 Oct) promoting the message that stroke is treatable, and lives can improve with better awareness, access and action. For more information, visit: www.worldstrokecampaign.org

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