Brent Council and the Stroke Association offers free blood pressure measuring service to residents

A health charity has teamed up with Brent Council to offer a free blood pressure measuring service that could save lives.

The drop-in sessions in partnership with the Stroke Association will take place third Friday of the month until the end of the year, between 11am and 2pm at Wembley Library at the Brent Civic Centre.

Trained Stroke Association volunteers will measure residents’ blood pressure, check their level of risk and provide advice on maintaining their blood pressure at a healthy level.

Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Brent Council’s cabinet member for community Wellbeing, said: “People with high blood pressure often have no symptoms and if left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease or a stroke.

“I would urge as many people as possible to take just a few minutes to have their blood pressure measured.

“It’s quick to do and at the very least will give you peace of mind if there is no risk, but at the same time it just might save your life.”

Barry Coppock, a Stroke Association volunteer whose mother suffered from six strokes before passing away, added: “You can have high blood pressure and feel fine, but that’s because it has no symptoms.

“The only way to confirm if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked, which people who are otherwise healthy tend not to do as they have no reason to visit their GP.”This is particularly important, as the majority of strokes could be prevented if high blood pressure is detected early enough.”

For more details about the sessions click here.