Campaign Launched to Encourage 10,000 Cornwall Residents to Check Blood Pressure

A major health campaign has been launched across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly this September, aiming to get at least 10,000 people to check their blood pressure over the next year. The ‘Know Your Numbers and Take Action’ campaign is encouraging people not only to get tested but also to make small lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

A Personal Story of Survival

The campaign is being championed by health professionals across the county, including NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s head of clinical quality, Sam Collier.

Sam suffered a stroke aged just 42 due to high blood pressure. She explained:

“I’d had reminders to go for my annual health check, but with two teenage children, a full-time job and a busy life I felt like I didn’t have time to even make an appointment. I didn’t prioritise my health and I almost died as a result.”

After experiencing severe headaches, Sam contacted her doctor and was immediately referred to the emergency department, where a scan confirmed she had suffered a stroke.

“I remember that I could regularly hear my own heartbeat in my ears, but I just ignored it. After my stroke I was so scared. I had to take a year off work, I needed a walking stick as I lost my balance, my speech was affected as I just couldn’t get my words out. I also had stroke fatigue and was exhausted, I had memory loss, I was forgetful and had to stop driving.”

Now, 11 years on, Sam has made a full recovery, lost weight, and even ran the London Marathon earlier this year. She is backing the campaign wholeheartedly:

“It could have prevented me from having a stroke. I’d urge everyone to get checked and I wholeheartedly support this campaign.”

Making Blood Pressure Checks Routine

NHS Cornwall’s chief medical officer, Dr Chris Reid, said:

“We’re on a mission to make blood pressure checks as routine as brushing your teeth. By encouraging 10,000 people in Cornwall to ‘know their numbers’, we can help prevent avoidable strokes and heart disease and save lives.”

The campaign is being run in partnership with Healthy Cornwall, Public Health, Cornwall library services and the Integrated Community Stroke Service.

Easy Ways to Get Checked

Gareth Walsh, public health practitioner for Cornwall Council, emphasised how simple it can be:

“Do you Know Your Numbers? We want people to be as familiar with their blood pressure numbers as they are with their height or weight. An ideal blood pressure is under 120/80 and with so many opportunities to get checked – including at local pharmacies – it’s the ideal time to find out what yours is. You can even take out a blood pressure monitor at many libraries now, just like you’d take out a book, and check your numbers at home.

“The best way to keep blood pressure down is to live an active, happy and healthy life. Healthy Cornwall has lots of ways to help you do this so why not check out our website here Home – Healthy Cornwall.”

The Bigger Health Picture

Amit Dhulkotia, GP and NHS Cornwall clinical lead for long term conditions, warned:

“Sam’s story is such an important message of prevention and highlights how taking action to get checked could save your life. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 30% of deaths in women each year, more than twice as many deaths in women yearly as all forms of cancer combined. High blood pressure is the number 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women.”

Amanda Fidelis, NHS Cornwall senior clinical pharmacist, added:

“It’s free to visit your local pharmacist for a blood pressure check. If your reading is high, they can refer you to your GP within 24 hours. It’s easy, quick and available at all pharmacies in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.”

Why It Matters

The Integrated Community Stroke Service has found that 1 in 3 people they tested at events across Cornwall over the past 12 months had high blood pressure, often without realising it.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is called the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms but increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and more. Men and women aged 40 to 60 are particularly at risk and are being urged to book their annual health checks.

People can also loan home blood pressure monitors from libraries or buy their own for regular checks.

How to Get Involved

The campaign will promote:

• Free blood pressure checks at pharmacies, libraries, events, and pop-up clinics. A full list can be found on the NHS Cornwall Know Your Numbers page.

• Home blood pressure monitors available to loan from libraries.

• Educational resources and support to help people understand and manage their blood pressure.

The wider aim is to reduce health inequalities across Cornwall and promote proactive healthcare before serious problems arise.

📷Sam Collier has her blood pressure checked at Bodmin library