With high blood pressure thought to affect as many as one in five people in Northern Ireland, thousands of people throughout the country could be suffering from the condition without realising it. Gordons Chemists have made blood pressure testing a priority for their health promotion strategy, introducing free testing events at a number of their branches. Running from 8-21 September to mark Blood Pressure Awareness week, the programme will be issuing advice to patients on how to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and to reinforce the importance of having regular checks.

“Because high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, over time this can weaken it and also damage the walls of the arteries, which can lead to damage to the brain or heart,” says Helena Buchanan, head of health promotion at Gordons Chemists in Northern Ireland. “If it is too high over a period of time and not treated, then you will be at increased risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for kidney disease and some eye conditions.”

Helena continued to explain how key health events are important when planning health promotion schedules. “Blood Pressure Awareness week is a fundamental date in our annual health planning and promotions calendar where we will be working hard to draw attention to the need to improve detection, management and treatment,” she continued. “Through our testing stations we are determined that everyone in Northern Ireland will realise the importance of knowing their own blood pressure levels.”