GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS has confirmed thatRotary International in Great Britain & Ireland and The Stroke Associationhave been successful in setting a new Guinness World Record for the number ofblood pressure readings taken in one day. Theofficial announcement coincides with the start of National Blood PressureTesting Week and comes two weeks before The Stroke Associations annual StrokeAwareness Week which starts on Monday 29 September.
OnSaturday April 3, The Stroke Association and Rotary Clubs in Great Britain andIreland organised blood pressure readings for 127,573 people, at over 1,000 sites, acrossthe United Kingdom and Ireland. The bloodpressure readings were taken by qualified medical staff, , and everyone who hadtheir blood pressure taken was given a card with the reading on to take alongto their GP if necessary. Stroke is oneof the biggest causes of death and severe adult disability in the UK.
The aim was to ensure as many people aspossible were given the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked and bemade aware of any necessary lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet,says Jerry Doyle, Director of Public Relations, at The Stroke Association.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the number one cause of avoidablestrokes. For every 10 people who die ofstrokes, four could have been saved if they had arranged regular blood pressurechecks and then followed medical advice.It is fantastic that so many people came along and had their readingtaken as there is no clear way of knowing when your blood pressure is rising,apart from having it measured.
Tony de StDalmas, Past President Rotary International in Great Britain & Irelandcomments I am delighted at the success of the Stroke Awareness Day and therecognition of a world record by Guinness World Records. I would like to thankthe nurses and doctors who supported Rotary Clubs to make this day possible.Rotarians believe that stroke is a major issue for our communities and coststoo many people their lives, too many families and carers great suffering andhardship, and costs the national health service billions of pounds every year.I believe that awareness and prevention are vital and this initiative struck achord with the general public. As the condition is usually symptomless,people think they don't need to be checked. By making blood pressurechecks easily available, we hope that this has helped to reduce the chances ofpeople suffering a stroke. Following on from this success Rotary and The StrokeAssociation will be organizing another Blood Pressure Testing Day nextyear."
The StrokeAssociations Stroke Awareness Week begins on Monday 29 September. During the week the charity will beencouraging people to Eat a Rainbow toBeat a Stroke. Individuals who wereunable to have their blood pressure taken in April during the Rotary StrokeAwareness day will have the opportunity to have it taken during the week.
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Issued on behalf of RobinFreeman Secretary Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Telephone 01789 765411 www.rotary-ribi.org
For further details about this press release, please call JudithDiment, on: 01628 672965 or 07860162313 Email: judithdiment@aol.com
For more information about Stroke Awareness Week, The Stroke Associationor to interview case histories callJulia Clements, Press Officer, The Stroke Association on: Telephone: 020 75660328 Fax: 020 7490 3073Email: jclements@stroke.org.uk
Alternatively visit The Stroke Associations web site www.stroke.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons unitedworldwide, who provide humanitarianservice, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to buildgoodwill and peace in the world. Members carry out this work in their owncommunity and/or overseas by giving their time and their expertise. A RotaryClub is open to men and women who are business, professional or communityleaders who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.
2. For general information on Rotary in yourarea, contact the local Rotary Club President, details from Robin Freeman,Secretary Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland: 01789 765411
3. When a stroke occurs, part ofthe brain is suddenly severely damaged or destroyed. It takes place either when a blood clot forms in a damaged vesseland blocks the flow of blood to the brain or, when a damaged vessel in thebrain bursts.
The Stroke Association is the countrys leading charity solelyconcerned with stroke, across all ages.The charity provides support to people who have had strokes, theirfamilies and carers. The StrokeAssociation campaigns, educates, and informs to increase knowledge of stroke atall levels of society.
4. Eat a Rainbow Beat a Stroke is the theme for Stroke AwarenessWeek which runs from Monday 29, September to Sunday, 5 October. For moreinformation about the week or to find out where the blood pressure testingstand will be telephone Julia Clements on 020 7566 0328.