Every September Know Your Numbers! Week reaches people who have high blood pressure without realising and helps them to access treatment or support to get it under control.
2024’s focus is ‘You Have the Power’! By finding out your blood pressure numbers, you are taking the first step to preventing heart attacks and strokes. People do not usually experience symptoms with high blood pressure until it is too late, so knowing your numbers and making healthy lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
- 1 in 4 –Â 1 in 4 adults worldwide have high blood pressure.
- 50 –Â At least 50% of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure.
- 3 –Â High blood pressure is the 3rd biggest risk factor for early deaths and disability.
- 120/80 –Â The ideal blood pressure reading is 120/80. Eating less salt and more fruit and vegetables, reducing alcohol intake, increasing physical activity, and losing weight can all help to lower your blood pressure and bring it down to this level.
For more information about how to reduce your blood pressure, please visit Blood Pressure UK, British Heart Foundation and NHS.
Know Your Numbers at Work
If you do safety critical work or drive vehicles as part of your job, your blood pressure is very important! If your blood pressure is high when driving or carrying out safety critical tasks, you could be putting yourself and colleagues at risk.
High blood pressure is considered to be any reading over 140/90, but if your blood pressure is over 180/120 it would not be considered safe for you to continue doing high risk work until you have had an urgent medical review and your blood pressure is under control (NICE).
If your blood pressure is consistently over 180/110, you must see a doctor and get your blood pressure is under control (DVLA). If driving buses or lorries, your blood pressure needs to be 180/100 or less.
When carrying out Fitness for Work medicals, our technicians will check blood pressure and will advise and refer appropriately.
Know Your Numbers in The Office
If you have staff who are not in high risk jobs but would like to keep an eye on their health, we offer Health and Wellbeing Checks. Please get in touch to find out more information.
