Blood Pressure Awareness fortnight

50-year-old father of four Liam Hamill visited his local Gordons Chemists to have his blood pressure checked.

Liam had already signed up to the smoking cessation service at his local Gordons Chemists.

Whilst in the pharmacy he noticed the Blood Pressure Check service and decided to take the opportunity. The pharmacist discovered that Mr. Hamill had a higher reading than expected and recommended that he visit his GP. The pharmacist suggested that she also check Mr. Hamill’s blood glucose level. This was also higher than expected.

On visiting his GP, it was confirmed that Liam’s blood pressure was high and that in fact he also had Type 2 Diabetes.

Liam said: “I’m now taking tablets to help my blood pressure and diabetes which would not have been discovered had it not been for the tests at Gordons Chemists. I owe my change in lifestyle to them and am feeling much healthier now as a result of my treatment.”

Joanne Henderson, Professional Services Manager for Gordons Chemists said: “High blood pressure is a serious condition which often goes undiagnosed. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of a stroke or a heart attack. High blood pressure is a symptomless condition, so the only way to find out if you have it is to have regular blood pressure checks. However, once detected, it can be very successfully managed.

Whilst we offer blood pressure testing year round, we hope that members of the public from across the province will pay us a visit for their free blood pressure check during Blood Pressure Awareness Fortnight. Risk factors for high blood pressure include family history, being overweight and smoking. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your blood pressure healthy along with stopping smoking and cutting down on added salt in the diet”.

“Blood Pressure Awareness Fortnight will run in our pharmacies from 12th September where we hope to be able to identify more people such as Liam who are unaware that they may have a life-threatening condition. So why not call into your nearest Gordons Chemists for a check.”

Gordons Chemists is offering half price home testing Blood Pressure devices that can be used safely and accurately at home throughout the year for continual assessment. The compact home test monitor is available during Blood Pressure Awareness Fortnight at just £34.99.