Thousands needed to know their blood pressure

The Stroke Association and Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (R.I.B.I.) are joining forces for a third year running in a bid to target high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the biggest cause of stroke. The campaign will offer free blood pressure measuring checks, open to everybody, on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 April 2005.

Stroke is the largest single cause of severe disability in England and Wales, with over 250,000 people being affected at any one time. This two day public health campaign focuses on the importance of everyone knowing their blood pressure and making sure that we get it measured regularly. The campaign has proven to be extremely successful over the past two years, with record numbers of people getting their blood pressure measured.

Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association said: "For every ten people who die of stroke, four could have been saved if they had arranged regular blood pressure measurements and then followed medical advice. It is vitally important that people take advantage of the free blood pressure measuring. High blood pressure often has no symptoms and the campaign aims to raise awareness of this silent killer. We hope that our partnership with the R.I.B.I. and our strong links within the community will really help to drive the message home.”

If you are a Rotarian and would like a free Blood Pressure Measuring pack or further information, email bloodpressure@stroke.org.uk or call 01604 623938/623933.

Notes to editor

1. For any media enquiries please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

2. Further information about Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland can be found at the website www.rotary-ribi.org

3. Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is a humanitarian service organisation that has 60,000 members and 1,835 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland. In February 2005, Rotary International celebrated its centenary.

4. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

5. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

6. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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