Working in partnership with the Island’s Physical Activity Alliance, the Isle of Wight Council’s leisure services have signed up to become ‘pressure partners’ during Know your Numbers week from the 10th to 16th September.  Customers at Medina Leisure Centre in Newport, the Heights in Sandown and Waterside Pool in Ryde can have their blood pressure tested by trained staff at set times during the week. 

Staff will also be on hand to give advice about the importance of exercise in a healthy lifestyle but they won’t be advising on health issues that could arise from a raised blood pressure reading.  Customers can complete a lifestyle questionnaire plus there will be information on stopping smoking and healthier eating.

Backed by the Blood Pressure Association, Know your Numbers week aims to encourage as many people as possible to get their blood pressure regularly checked so that they know their blood pressure numbers in the same way as they do their height and weight.

Councillor Dawn Cousins, IW Council cabinet member for Health, Well Being and Supporting People said:

“Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level is one of the most important things we can do to reduce these major causes of death and disability”, said “A good start is to get tested to know their blood pressure numbers”.

“By having pressure stations in our leisure centres we can help spread the message that exercise has a significant positive effect on blood pressure and reinforces the important role that our gyms and leisure centres have to play in improving islanders’ health.  It also gives an opportunity for the local community to check out what is on offer and become more involved with our facilities.”

IWC Media.