Stroke Awareness Day

Sat, May 6th 2017 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Do you know your blood pressure?


Rotary offers free blood pressure checks in Durham to combat the risk of strokes.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and the Stroke Association have teamed up to help people in Durham take a moment and get their blood pressure tested. They hosted free blood pressure checks at St. Nicholas Church, Market Place on 6th May 2017 to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke.

Over half of all strokes can be caused by high blood pressure.  As well as having a blood pressure check, local residents in Durham will also receive advice on steps to keep it under control and reduce their stroke risk.

Durham Club President Pauline Crow said:
“Having a stroke can be devastating but people can reduce their risk significantly by paying attention to their blood pressure. Rotary is proud to support the Stroke Association’s Know Your Blood Pressure campaign because it is both simple and effective. The test takes a moment to do and potentially, it could save your life. Last year we held 1680 events around the country and this year we are keen to reach even more people.”

Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said:
“Having a regular blood pressure check is so important. Estimates suggest there could be almost seven million people with high blood pressure who are undiagnosed and at risk of having a stroke. Many people have high blood pressure without realising it because it often has no symptoms. High blood pressure is far more common than you would think and it can be deadly, but it is treatable. With events like this, together we can conquer stroke.”

Another successful day at St. Nicholas Church on Saturday - 151 people had their blood pressure checked of which 33 were advised to see their GP within the month and 6 within the week! Our thanks go to the National Stroke Association Northern Branch and to Rotarians Ed Kear, Judy Morris, David Yates and Fari Serajian for all their help and support.

Thanks to Martin Leake for this update.

Check the Stroke Association website.