Know Your Blood Pressure 2010: Blood Boil Britain!

A whopping 92% of us say that something in everyday life makes our blood boil on a regular basis; with bad manners and rudeness (79%), bad driving (61%) and reality shows (32%) cited as the main reasons.

Almost four out of every five (79%) of the GB adult population say that bad manners or rudeness really leaves them seething, with over 61% saying that bad driving really winds them up. After lack of manners (78%); queue jumping (66%) and speaking too loud on a mobile phone (40%) were the unpopular habits in other people that we find most annoying.

It seems Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity…and other such TV programmes grate with the men in GB much more than women with 38% saying reality shows make their blood boil, compared to only 27% of women.

The new research carried out online by YouGov for a partnership working group made up of The Stroke Association, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) and the Ambulance Service helps highlight the importance of people getting blood pressure tested regularly. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for having a stroke yet it is estimated a quarter of adults have high blood pressure and are completely unaware of it. The Know Your Blood Pressure campaign is hosting almost 600 testing events that offer free blood pressure checks, advice on stroke and its prevention to people of all ages.    

41% of people don’t feel that their blood pressure rises when they get stressed about something; when in fact it does. Regularly increasing stress levels puts you at a higher risk of stroke. And with over 1 in 5 (22%) people saying that they can’t even remember the last time they had their blood pressure checked, the need is highlighted for people to get their blood pressure tested at a Know Your Blood Pressure event near them.

Laura Dart, Deputy Director of Communications comments: “It is estimated that 40% of the 150,000 strokes suffered by people in the UK each year could be prevented by controlling high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ as it does not always have any symptoms. Having this quick and simple test could save your life so come along to one of our 600 events taking place across the UK on and around the 17 April.”

To find out where your nearest event is please visit www.stroke.org.uk/kybp

Paramedic and Stroke Lead at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust, David Davis says: “It’s extremely important that people, whatever their age, know their blood pressure and have it checked regularly. This can of course be carried out with a visit to a GP but Know Your Blood Pressure day is an ideal opportunity for people to have their blood pressure checked for free at convenient locations in their area. It’s great that the ambulance service has been able to team up with The Stroke Association and provide this opportunity”.

David Fowler, President of RIBI says: “Rotary members are dedicated to improving the lives of others and good health is one of our key aims. Through our partnership with The Stroke Association, our members are helping to save countless lives by hosting these blood pressure checks across great Britain and Ireland. I would urge everyone who sees the teams in action to take advantage and get their blood pressure assessed. The check-up will take a matter of minutes and could help identify potential health problems".

ENDS

Notes to editor

To find your nearest Know Your Blood Pressure event go to www.stroke.org.uk/kybp

For more information please contact Richard Mountford in The Stroke Association press office, 0207 566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

For more information about Rotary International and the Know Your Blood Pressure events they are hosting please contact Rebecca Wallace in Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland press office, 01789 768 127 or email rebeccaw@ribi.org

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2116 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16 and 18 March 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

The Stroke Association annually runs the Know Your Blood Pressure campaign with partners such as Rotary International and the Ambulance Services to offer blood pressure testing to members of the public.

The national Know Your Blood Pressure day is Saturday 17 April 2010 and free blood pressure testing events will be happening across the country.

Last year, the Know Your Blood Pressure initiative saw over 13,000 people across the UK take up the chance to have their blood pressure taken. As a result, nearly 3,000 were advised to see their GP for more tests and a further 200 were urged to seek medical advice immediately.

We will provide everyone running a Know Your Blood Pressure event with an event pack which includes practical advice, guidelines and promotional materials as well as ongoing support to make running your event even easier.

A stroke is a brain attack which causes brain damage.  A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST – Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to call 999.  If any of these symptoms are present call an ambulance straight away.

The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0303 3033 100.

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