Checking you blood pressure could save lives

Having your blood pressure checked could save your life

The Stroke Foundation is urging New Zealanders to use Stroke Awareness Week as a prompt to have their blood pressure checked.

Down with Blood Pressure is the theme of Stroke Awareness Week, which runs from 7 to 13 September. The campaign is being delivered by the Stroke Foundation, in partnership with St John and the Lions.

“High blood pressure often has no symptoms and is known as the ‘silent killer’,” says Dr John Fink, Stroke Foundation Medical Advisor. “One of the best things you can do for your health is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.”

Dr Fink says many people do not realise the strong relationship between high blood pressure and stroke.

“Nearly 8000 people have strokes in New Zealand each year, and one third of these are attributable to high blood pressure. But the good news is high blood pressure is preventable, and can be controlled.”

He says the only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked.

“If your blood pressure is found to be high, it can usually be controlled by a combination of diet, exercise and medication.

“We’re always being told to eat a healthy diet, have regular physical activity, not drink too much alcohol and to be smokefree; well, it certainly works when it comes to keeping your blood pressure down.”

Dr Fink says high blood pressure can have many harmful effects, which can lead to stroke.

“High blood pressure puts stress on the walls of the blood vessels and can cause them to break down, eventually leading to a stroke. It can also speed up common forms of heart disease that can lead to stroke, and cause blood clots or plaque to break off the artery walls and block a brain artery, causing stroke.

“The sooner you find out that you have high blood pressure, the sooner you can control it, and increase your chances of a long and healthy life.”

On Saturday 12 September, the Stroke Foundation, St John and Lions will offer free blood pressure checks at a number of supermarkets throughout the country (see http://www.stroke.org.nz/funding/free_testing_sites.html for list of sites).

Stroke Foundation CEO Mark Vivian says the blood pressure checks are an example of how organisations can work together to raise awareness about important issues affecting New Zealanders.

“This three-way partnership draws on the abilities of each partner. The Stroke Foundation for its knowledge and expertise in the area of stroke; St John’s expertise in preventing and relieving sickness and injury and enhancing wellbeing; and the Lions’ ability to mobilise communities into action.

“We are also extremely grateful to Foodstuffs Ltd and participating New World and Pak‘n Save supermarkets which are hosting the majority of the blood pressure testing sites. Thanks also to the support of the four regional Stroke Foundations.”

BACKGROUND

Stroke and blood pressure: Key facts and figures
• Stroke is the third largest killer in New Zealand (more than 2000 people die from a stroke every year) and the major cause of adult disability in New Zealand.
• Every day, 21 New Zealanders have a stroke – that’s nearly 8000 people each year.
• There are 56,000 stroke survivors in New Zealand, many of whom have disability and need significant daily support.
• A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing brain cell damage. Basically, it is a brain attack.
• At least one in three New Zealanders can't recognise the signs of a stroke. Delayed recognition means delayed medical intervention –which can have tragic consequences.
Be blood pressure aware
• It is vital that everyone has their blood pressure levels tested regularly, as a healthy blood pressure level is important in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
• Blood pressure is a measure of the force blood exerts on the arteries as it is pumped around the body. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). There are two measures of blood pressure and the optimal level is below 120/80 mmHg:
o Systolic blood pressure – this is the pressure the blood exerts on the arteries when the heart beats
o Diastolic blood pressure – this is the pressure the blood exerts on the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats
• High blood pressure is a major cause of strokes. One in five New Zealanders has high blood pressure, and a third of these don't know it. Reducing your blood pressure can greatly reduce stroke risk.
• High blood pressure is often caused by lifestyle and diet factors including smoking, stress, lack of exercise and poor diet. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older and is also above average in minority ethnic groups.
• Most people can lower their blood pressure by a combination of good diet, exercise and, if necessary, medication.
• Keys ways to lower blood pressure through diet are:
o reduce your salt intake (salt increases blood pressure)
o eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and high in fruit, vegetables, cereals and wholemeal bread
o drink alcohol in moderation: 1 glass per day for women and 2 glasses per day for men.
• Physical activity helps to keep blood pressure low – aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
• Smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure.
• Blood pressure should be checked regularly even if you feel well.
For more information on stroke and blood pressure see www.stroke.org.nz.

ENDS

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