Adults urged to get blood pressure check 'before damage is done'
People in Cavan are being urged to have their blood pressure checked as part of a new campaign to drive awareness of its dangers.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Before Damage is Done’ initiative highlights the link between high blood pressure and heart disease and stroke.
The ‘silent killer’ affects two out of three over-50s - but because it is symptomless, half do not know they have it.
Adults living in Cavan, and especially those aged over 50 years, are asked to have their blood pressure checked with their GP or local pharmacy.
Previous research shows Ireland has one of the lowest rates of awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure in Europe.
Dr Angie Brown, medical director and consultant cardiologist with the Irish Heart Foundation, said thousands of people unwittingly go about their daily lives with high blood pressure.
“The only way of finding out is to get it checked with your GP or local pharmacy as you will, most likely, have no symptoms,” she said.
“It is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and stroke but there are many factors that affect your risk.”
Core Research for the Irish Heart Foundation shows that, while many people know that high blood pressure is a risk factor leading to the development of cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, there is a lack of awareness of other serious outcomes – such as dementia, kidney disease and some forms of blindness.
At the campaign launch recently, which coincides with May Measurement Month, Dr Brown said high blood pressure is one of the few conditions that people have the power to successfully manage – but only if they know they have it.
“Once detected, it is easily managed. Medication may be needed in addition to lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and embracing a balanced diet which limits salt intake. These changes can have a huge impact.”
An active mother-of-four diagnosed with high blood pressure is supporting the drive and asking people to get checked.
“I thought I was invincible, but really, I could have been a ticking time bomb,” said gym receptionist Lynda Sutton, from Donabate in North Dublin.
“I thought I was healthy before, but I have completely changed my diet. I’m eating plenty of fruit and veg and no salt.
“If the dog was sick, I would take her to the vet but, if I was sick, I would never go to the doctor. That’s changed now and I know how important it is to get your blood pressure checked.”
Her condition was discovered after the driver of the Irish Heart Foundation Mobile Health Unit parked near her local library in March and encouraged her to get a free heart health check.
The unit offers free heart health checks in communities across Ireland.
The campaign is being supported by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Irish Pharmacy Union.
See irishheart.ie for more info.