Press Release

ROTARY STROKE AND HEALTH AWARENESS DAY 28th April

April 17th 2007

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and The Stroke Association are teaming up for the sixth year running by offering free blood pressure checks and information to communities throughout the country on Saturday April 28th. Stroke is one of the  biggest causes of death and severe adult disability in England and Wales. Over  130,000 people in the UK suffer first strokes  each year. People with high blood pressure have up to seven times greater chance of stroke than those with normal blood pressure but a number of simple life changes can help to reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. It is estimated that four out of 10 deaths due to stroke could have been prevented if high blood pressure had been diagnosed and properly controlled.

 Rotary Clubs are organizing free blood pressure checks in their communities by qualified medical staff. More than 400 Rotary Clubs will be organizing blood pressure readings on this day. These will be arranged in church halls, community centres and other suitable locations.

The aim is to ensure as many people as possible are given the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked and for them to consider whether they wish to seek further medical advice and make any necessary lifestyle changes..  Members of the public who have had their blood pressure taken will be given a card for them to take to their GP so that they are able to discuss its implications with them.  GP’s and Health Visitors are being advised of this stroke awareness  initiative and warned of a possible increase of interest in blood pressure.

Peter L Offer , President Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland comments ‘Rotarians believe that stroke is a major issue for our communities and costs too many people their lives, too many families and carers great suffering and hardship, and costs the national health service billions of pounds every year. I believe that awareness and prevention are vital and I am delighted to have the support of Rotary clubs throughout the country to organise the Stroke and Health Awareness  Day for the sixth year running. High blood pressure is a serious condition and someone with high blood pressure is six times more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age with normal blood pressure.  As the condition is usually symptomless, people think they don't need to be checked.  By taking blood pressure checks out to people, we hope that more people will get their blood pressure taken and that this ultimately will help to reduce the chances of people suffering a stroke. Rotarians will also be distributing leaflets on cancer awareness highlighting the importance of early diagnosis in the successful treatment of cancer. "
For more information contact Judith Diment 01628 672965 or 07860 162313
Email judith@thediments.co.uk