Get to know your numbers

I’m Dr. Anam Abrar, a GP at Ancora medical practice in Scunthorpe and I lead on cardiovascular disease prevention in North Lincolnshire. 

Today I want to talk to you about Know Your Numbers. 

It takes place from 2 to 8 September and is the UK’s biggest blood pressure campaign. 

It aims to reach people who have high blood pressure – and don’t yet know it – so they can get the treatment and support they need to bring it under control. 

High blood pressure has no symptoms. 

Yet it can damage our vital organs like our heart, our brain, our eyes and our kidneys. 

It’s only once the damage has been done that symptoms can appear 

Which is why high blood pressure is often called a silent killer. 

Every day in the UK, 350 people have a stroke or heart attack caused by high blood pressure. 

We can prevent this. 

We believe every adult in the UK should know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight. 

Here’s the technical bit … 

The range of top normal BP reading, also called systolic should be between 90-140mmHg and the range of lower readings also called diastolic should be between 60-90mmHg. Any readings above or below need to be reviewed by a GP or your nearest pharmacy.  

You can successfully manage your blood pressure, with lifestyle changes and sometimes medicines – but you must know your numbers first. 

You can have your blood pressure checked in various ways:- 

• Go to your nearest pharmacy for a BP check – it’s completely free if you’re over 40 and don’t already know your numbers. 

• Everyone who’s 40 and over is entitled to a free NHS health check where BP is taken  

• You can ask GP surgery to check your Blood pressure 

• During Know Your Numbers Week there will be lots of community blood pressure stations and health kiosks available – there’s more information on Let’s Get Better 

• Home monitoring is an effective and inexpensive way to keep blood pressure under control 

If detected early, simple changes to lifestyle like healthy eating, reducing salt intake, cutting down on caffeine, 30 minutes exercise five days a week, reducing alcohol intake and stopping smoking and reducing weight can all help achieve a healthy blood pressure reading.  

Please participate in the campaign, look out for BP stations in your local area, know your numbers and take control of your health so you can live a long, healthy life.