Stroke Awareness Day
 "One lady told me that I had possibly saved her husband's life by
testing his blood pressure last year" Rotary Club Blood Pressure Tester

ROTARY PUTS THE PRESSURE ON

The club is joining scores of Rotary clubs across the UK taking to
the high streets and offering blood pressure checks as part in
Rotary’s Stroke and Health Awareness Day 2010.

The annual awareness day is run in partnership with The Stroke
Association to help people better understand the relation between
high blood pressure (hypertension) and stroke.
It is estimated that 40% of the 150,000 strokes suffered by people
in the U.K each year could be prevented. This condition can easily
be controlled.

On average, the initiative sees around 13,500 people across the
UK step up to have their blood pressure taken. Last year, nearly
3,000 were advised to see their GP for more tests and a further
196 urged to seek medical advice immediately.

Bob Gower President of The Rotary Club of Cheltenham Sunrise said:
“It's fair to say that over the years, this event has prevented
thousands of people suffering the sometimes fatal and often disabling
consequences of a stroke.”
Homaira Khan from The Stroke Association said: “Rotary recognises
that one of the biggest challenges is to help people understand that
strokes don't just happen to other people.
They can happen to anyone, at any age and the biggest single risk is
high blood pressure.Rotarian volunteers play an invaluable role in
reaching out to people, encouraging them to have regular checks and
take action when needed.” Rotary clubs run their blood pressure
check events in church halls, supermarkets, shopping centres,
libraries and leisure centres,usually assisted by a small team of
health professionals including GPs or nurses.

For more information, www.stroke.org/sam

For more information about Rotary International in Great Britain
and Ireland, visit www.ribi.org .