The National Stroke Foundation is offering the Ipswich community free blood pressure checks in partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Brassall Pharmacy is participating in the program called Know Your Numbers.

High blood pressure is often referred to as a “silent killer” because there are usually no symptoms. Stroke, a rapid loss of brain function from bleeding in the brain or a blood clot, can result from high blood pressure and is Australia’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability. Identifying and monitoring high blood pressure can help reduce the incidence of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Sixty thousand Australians will suffer a stroke each year, or one person every ten minutes.

An alarming fact emerging from programs in previous years is that only one in five people had normal blood pressure and nearly forty percent had high readings.

Blood pressure is affected by many factors however at any age we can help to lower our levels by not smoking, maintaining correct body weight, limiting alcohol, having a healthy diet and exercising adequately depending on our age. Always check with your doctor before embarking on an exercise program, however even gentle exercise such as walking can be of great value.

As a pharmacist I regularly see clients whose high blood pressure has caused serious problems, including stroke, heart attacks, eye problems and many other life threatening conditions such as kidney failure.

At any age it is wise to be aware of your blood pressure as high blood pressure is not always associated with getting older. The Know Your Numbers program is a valuable opportunity to prevent some major health problems.

For more information visit us at Brassall Pharmacy, Hunter Street, Brassall or phone 3201 6570.