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Posted by Jamie McKay on September 8, 2020
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It is thankfully, nothing to do with division, long division, fractions, or algebra. Know Your Numbers! Week is all about high blood pressure, let us explain what it all means and what you can do to join in!
These figures were reported by Blood Pressure UK and what makes them all the more startling is that most of the time there are not any symptoms for high blood pressure, so the first someone may know that they have it is either by having a heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure can also be a contributing factor to kidney disease, dementia, and other illnesses.
The charity Blood Pressure UK are the driving force behind Know Your Numbers, they believe that people should know their blood pressure in the same way that they know their weight and height.
They are the only charity in the UK who are solely dedicated to lowering the blood pressure of the nation, in order to prevent disability and death from strokes and Cardo Vascular Disease (CVD).
Interestingly, Sir David Attenborough is a Patron of Blood Pressure UK and you can find out much more about what they do here.
So, every year for a week in September, Blood Pressure UK organise the biggest free blood pressure testing event in the UK, held at ‘Pressure Stations’ all over the country.
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As with pretty much all of 2020 so far, because of Covid-19 and social distancing, Know Your Numbers Week looks a bit different this year, running from 7 – 13 September.
Blood Pressure UK aren’t able to provide the ‘Pressure Stations’ this year, so, instead are focussing on home testing for blood pressure.
As the Know Your Numbers! Week Campaign Manager, Hemini Bharadia says:
“Measuring your blood pressure at home and sharing measurements with your doctor has been shown to improve blood pressure control. Since high blood pressure is largely symptomless, home monitoring can really help people to feel more in control of their condition and see how well their treatments are working.
Whilst there is a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, it is important to be sure that the blood pressure monitor you choose is accurate and the right cost for you. Remember to choose one with an upper cuff which is the right size for your arm and make sure it is UK approved.
Know Your Numbers! Week is the perfect opportunity to test yourself, ideally at home, quickly and easily and put you in control of your health.”
They have created a fantastic home monitoring resource hub here, which is crammed full of information, help, and advice for getting the most out of home blood pressure monitoring.
Included in the monitoring resource hub are some blood pressure testing posters, if you can, download or print them and help to spread the word!
Photo via Canva
The easiest and quickest way to lower blood pressure is to send the kids back to school so you don’t have to do any more homeschooling and have them in the house annoying you all day, every day.
But seriously, along with medication, there are some lifestyle changes that we can all make if we want to reduce our blood pressure, such as:
Lockdown life may have led some of us to eat a bit more, drink a bit more wine, and not get out and about as much as we were used to.
With people working from home, homeschooling, or put on the furlough scheme, after a couple of months, people started to notice that their trousers were a little bit tighter and their weekly shopping bill had grown to be about the same size as Stockport.
By keeping a food diary for a week, you can easily see how much you are eating and drinking. With a few adjustments, you can change your diet to help lower your blood pressure. Don’t worry it doesn’t have to be a drastic change!
For example, keep that second glass of wine for tomorrow night, or even better, the weekend. Or instead of crisps and butter, you can try vegetable crisps, carrot sticks, hummus, and low-fat alternative spreads.
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Strangely enough, after the first few weeks of lockdown life, people started to realise that they could do more exercise than before.
The daily allocated allowance soon became a chance to explore the area they live in. Longer walks, bike rides, trips to the park or the coast, became things that people could do every day, not just at the weekend or on their days off.
You will be surprised how healthier you will feel after just a few days of increased exercise!
It is important to mention that if you are concerned about your blood pressure, diet or how exercise may impact your health then you should speak to your GP first.
Here at Ability Superstore, we offer a range of blood pressure testing products along with other health monitors, to help you to keep track of your health every day.
If you find the idea of Know Your Numbers! Week and more exercise appealing but aren’t able to get out as much as you would like, why not have a look at our exercise equipment that can be used indoors, in the garden or wherever you happen to have the space.
For more information about our mobility aids or some advice and guidance then please do contact us. You can call us free on 0800 255 0498 or email us at heretohelp@abilitysuperstore.com
