Getting your blood pressure checked can help prevent serious health conditions from developing.
Andrew Baxter, aged 63, found out that he had high blood pressure after attending one of Live Life Better Derbyshire’s drop-in sessions.
Andrew, from Eckington, attended one of our free health and wellbeing drop-ins at Killamarsh Methodist Church and was interested in having his blood pressure taken.
When the test was carried out the readings were high, and our advisor advised him to follow this up with further readings within 2 weeks.
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.
High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms so many people can have it without realising it.
This is why checking your blood pressure checked is so important.
Following his free check-up, Andrew contacted his GP and was advised to begin medication to reduce his blood pressure.
In a follow up drop-in session Andrew had another blood pressure reading taken which confirmed that his medication was working, and he is now within normal range.
Andrew said:
“Thank you for offering the blood pressure readings at this group.
“If Live Life Better Derbyshire had not been here offering this service, I would not have gone and got checked out.”