Every September, Know Your Numbers! Week shines a spotlight on the importance of checking your blood pressure. As the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event, the campaign encourages people to take a few minutes to understand their blood pressure numbers and take positive action for their health.
Blood pressure checks are taken by thousands to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, while also identifying people who may have high blood pressure without realising it. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer”. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked.
A blood pressure test is simple, quick and painless. During the test, a cuff is placed around your upper arm and inflates briefly before measuring your blood pressure. The machine then gives a reading made up of two numbers:
• Systolic pressure (the top number) measures the pressure when your heart pumps blood around your body.
• Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) measures the pressure when your heart relaxes between heartbeats.
Blood pressure readings are shown as two numbers, such as 130/80. According to the NHS, blood pressure is usually considered high if it is 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional, or 135/85 or higher when checked at home. If your reading is higher than expected, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional who can discuss any further assessment or support you may need.
Around a third of people in the UK have high blood pressure, but many do not know they have it because it rarely causes symptoms. Left unmanaged, high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious health conditions including heart attacks, strokes and other illnesses. Knowing your numbers gives you the opportunity to act early and access the right support if needed.
That’s why Everybody Health & Leisure and One You Cheshire East are helping local people access free self-screening blood pressure machines across the borough*. These machines are available for anyone aged 18 and over, with no appointment required.
You can check your blood pressure at:
• Crewe Lifestyle Centre
• Shavington Leisure Centre
• Nantwich Leisure Centre
• Knutsford Leisure Centre
• Holmes Chapel Community Centre
• Congleton Leisure Centre
• Wilmslow Leisure Centre
• Macclesfield Leisure Centre
*Excluding Alderley Park and Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre.
The importance of regular checks is highlighted by Everybody Health & Leisure’s Health Referral Lead, Gavin, who explains that people can often have high blood pressure without any symptoms, and that consistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and vascular dementia.
Alongside the self-screening machines, information is available to help people understand what blood pressure is, why regular checks are important, and what steps they can take if their reading is higher than expected.
If you have not checked your blood pressure recently, Know Your Numbers! Week is the perfect opportunity to make it part of your health routine. A quick check can provide valuable information about your health and, if needed, help you access the right support at an early stage.
For those looking to improve their overall wellbeing, Everybody Health & Leisure and One You Cheshire East offer a range of services that may help support healthy blood pressure and long-term health goals. These include programmes to help people become more active, achieve a healthier weight and stop smoking, alongside other lifestyle support services available across Cheshire East.
This Know Your Numbers! Week, take a few minutes for yourself, learn your numbers, and take a positive step towards better health. Want a tutorial on how to complete a blood pressure test? Watch our Health Referral Lead, Gavin, show us how: