With around 4.7 million Australians living with uncontrolled high blood pressure, Stroke Foundation is urging Aussies to get a blood pressure check at their local pharmacy this month as the key step in reducing their risk of stroke.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the greatest modifiable risk factor for stroke. A quick and painless blood pressure check can be all it takes for someone to change their lifestyle and reduce their stroke risk.
Each May, Stroke Foundation promotes the importance of blood pressure checking as part of Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check campaign. It coincides with World Hypertension Day on 17 May.
Stroke Foundation CEO Sharon McGowan says high blood pressure often goes undiagnosed as it has no immediate symptoms. Over time, it puts extra stress on blood vessel walls and can cause them to narrow or break down, eventually leading to a stroke.
A staggering 4.7 million Australians are living with uncontrolled high blood pressure, and many do not realise it. A normal blood pressure measurement is described as around 120 over 80mmHg. A measurement of 140 over 90mmHg is regarded as high blood pressure and puts you at increased risk of stroke, no matter what your age.
“In my first year as CEO of Stroke Foundation, by participating in Australia’s biggest blood pressure check campaign, I discovered that I had high blood pressure. Thanks to our very own awareness campaign, my blood pressure is now controlled but it could have been a very different outcome,’ Ms McGowan said.
“If there is one thing that we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that people are keen and able to manage their risk of exposure to illness. We want to apply that mindset to stroke prevention. When 80 per cent of all strokes are preventable, why would you not want to know your risk?”
Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s national president Trent Twomey says community pharmacies are the most accessible health professionals, so it is easy for people to get a blood pressure check.
“Most pharmacies provide this service because we recognise just how important keeping an eye on your blood pressure is,” Professor Twomey said.
“A blood pressure check can give an early warning of the dangers of a stroke. I recommend people go to
the findapharmacy.com.au website where they can find a pharmacy near them which provides blood
pressure monitoring services.”
More information on the link between high blood pressure and strokes can be found on the Stroke Foundation website.
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