An Assembly Member has visited locations across Mid and West Wales over the past two weeks urging people to get free blood pressure tests as part of a campaign to get 1,000 people tested during the summer to help prevent stroke. Joyce also asked people about their experience of local stroke services and will report her findings back to the Assembly.
Stroke is the UK’s third biggest killer and it is estimated that nearly a quarter of the population are unknowingly suffering from undiagnosed high blood pressure - the single biggest risk factor for stroke.
Joyce Watson, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, is running the blood pressure campaign with a series of testing days across her constituency. Joyce is working in conjunction with the Stroke Association and Community Pharmacy Wales, which represents local pharmacists across the country. As well as free blood pressure checks, the testing days offered advice on stroke and its prevention to people of all ages.
Sessions have been held at the following:
Royal Welsh Show (30/06/09)
Lloyds Pharmacists, Pembrokeshire Dock (28/06/09 – 09.30 - 10.30am)
Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest (28/06/09 – 11am – 1pm)
Boots, Fishguard (28/06/09 – 2-3pm)
John David Pharmacists, Neyland (28/06/09 – 4-5pm)
Rowlands Pharmacists, Welsh Pool (30/06/09 – 3.30 – 4.30pm)
Speaking on the Campaign Joyce said: "Stroke has a devastating effect not just on sufferers but also their families, yet it can often be avoided if the symptoms are recognised in time. I would again urge people to get their blood pressure tested. Strokes can affect anyone - a quarter of all strokes occur in people of working age."
To find out more about the tour and on Joyce’s other campaigns click on http://www.joycewatson.co.uk/.
