Wick chemists offer test that could be life-saver

BIG-hearted pharmacists from Wick are offering free blood pressure checks as part of a national campaign.

HB Reid Pharmacy will be giving quick tests during Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! week, which starts on Monday.

Pharmacist Sandy Manson is urging the community to get tested after recent statistics revealed a third of Scots would only consider themselves at risk from high blood pressure if they were overweight.

“That is not the only cause,” said Mr Manson.

“Diet and lifestyle can also have a big impact. “Eating too much salt or not taking enough exercise can also cause high blood pressure which is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.”

Starting next week, the High Street pharmacy will have “pressure points” where visitors can drop-in to be tested, get advice and be handed heart stickers to show they know their blood pressure numbers.

“It is a silent condition and people often adopt an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude,” said Mr Manson.

“We want to make the whole community aware of the importance of having regular checks.

“People don’t need to make an appointment and workers can pop in on their lunch break.”

Ideally blood pressure should be 120 over 80 or less.

Mr Manson said that around one in 10 people have a higher reading than this but there are helpful steps they can take. Cutting down on salt and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can bring the reading down, as can doing 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.

He added that people should be monitored every year and more regularly if pressure is high or there is a history of the condition in the family.

To help with this a new blood pressure, a free smart phone application is being launched to coincide with the campaign.

“We encourage our customers to be aware of their numbers and monitor changes,” said Mr Manson.

“The new application will flag up such changes which can be raised with their pharmacist and it also acts as a reminder for their next blood pressure check.”

Mark Hooley from Blood Pressure UK said: “We welcome the support to drive home this important health message. Checks are quick and easy and visiting your local pharmacist allows you to walk-in off the street without having to book an appointment with the doctor.”

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