June is Measure Your Pressure month, and residents across Medway are being encouraged to get their free blood pressure check this month.
Medway Council’s Public Health team will be touring Medway with drop-in clinics where you can get your check. There is no need to book, you can simply turn up.
High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms, meaning many people have it without realising. In the UK, roughly one in three adults has high blood pressure.
Last year, more than 600 checks were carried out in Medway during Measure Your Pressure month. Of those, 170 people were referred to their GP for a clinical follow-up and 55 people were referred to the NHS Health Check programme or Medway’s Stop Smoking Service.
Of the checks carried out last year:
- 16 per cent saw high or very high systolic readings,
- 20.5 per cent saw high or very high diastolic readings,
- 5 per cent saw irregular pulse rhythms detected, requiring clinical follow-up.
What do the numbers mean?
Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers.
The first number measures the pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls when your heart beats. This is known as systolic blood pressure, and is the higher number on the reading.
The second number measures the pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls when your heart rests between beats. This is known as diastolic blood pressure, and will be the lower number.
You are usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is:
- 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional, or
- 135/85 or higher when checked at home.
Be proactive and get it checked
Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “When it comes to high blood pressure, the best way to look after yourself is to be proactive and get it checked, as there are often no symptoms. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems – it is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes when left unchecked – but by catching it early you can take control through making lifestyle changes, or using medication if needed.
“Our friendly team will be out at different locations across Medway throughout the whole of June. You don’t need an appointment, it is completely free and the checks are really quick – so please do come along and get your free check this June.”
Medway’s Measure Your Pressure drop-ins are taking place at:
- Grain Library
29 Chapel Road, Isle of Grain, Rochester, ME3 0BZ
Tuesday, 2 June – 10am to 1pm
- Hoo Library
24 Church Street, Hoo, Rochester, ME3 9AL
Tuesday, 2 June – 2pm to 5pm
- Chatham Dockside Outlet
Maritime Way, Chatham, ME4 3ED
Wednesday, 3 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Rochester Healthy Living Centre
Delce Road, Rochester ME1 2EL
Thursday, 4 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Balmoral Healthy Living Centre
Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham ME7 4PN
Thursday, 9 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Buzz Bingo Medway
Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Rochester, ME2 2SS
Thursday, 9 June - 6pm to 9pm
- Strood Library
133 High St, Rochester, ME2 4TJ
Wednesday, 10 June - 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Bread of Life community café
17 Darnley Rd, Rochester, ME2 2EU
Wednesday, 10 June - 2pm to 5pm
- Smoke Free Advice Centre
2-2A Railway St, Chatham, ME4 4DQ
Thursday, 11 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Booker Group
5-9 Laker Road, Rochester, ME1 3QZ
Friday, 12 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Rochester Community Hub
Eastgate, Rochester, ME1 1EW
Thursday, 16 June - 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Lordswood Healthy Living Centre
Sultan Road, Chatham, ME5 8TJ
Wednesday, 17 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Medway Park Sports Centre
Mill Road, Gillingham, ME7 1HW
Thursday, 18 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Smoke Free Advice Centre
2-2A Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4DQ
Friday, 19 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- James Williams Healthy Living Centre
Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham, ME4 4HP
Wednesday, 24 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- The Historic Dockyard Chatham (Armed Forces Day)
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4TZ
Saturday, 27 June - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Everlast Gym
Will Adams Way, Watling Street, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6BY
Tuesday, 30 June - 9.30am to 3pm