Know your numbers Week: 10-16 September

Know Your Numbers! is Blood Pressure UK's flagship awareness campaign which encourages adults to know their blood pressure numbers and to take action towards reaching and maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

During Know Your Numbers! Week, there are free blood pressure checks taking place across the UK for thousands of adults.

The dangers of high blood pressure

1 in 3 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, which is one of the largest known causes of premature death and disability. High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease, as well as being a risk factor for kidney disease and dementia.

They call high blood pressure 'the silent killer', with 5 million people unaware that their numbers are too high.

Ways of keeping a low blood pressure

Exercise, exercise, exercise.

To keep your blood pressure low, you need to be exercising regularly. Don't expect changes to happen immediately either, it can take one to three months to have an impact on your blood pressure. If you stop exercising, the benefits will also stop.

The best exercise is physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates (aerobic activity). This might include household chores such as mowing the lawn and gardening, active sports e.g. tennis, climbing stairs, walking/jogging/running, swimming or bicycling.

We have a range of sport and physical activity to keep that heart of your in healthy shape!

View our full A-Z listing here.

The physical activity guidelines

For adults, it is recommended that you are physically active for 150 minutes a week at a moderate intensity or 75 minutes a week at a vigorous intensity. This doesn't have to be completed all in one go. Try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Keep track of your blood pressure readings.

Remember to regularly track your blood pressure readings. This will let you know if your active lifestyle is having a positive effect on your blood pressure. Make sure you check your blood pressure before you exercise and not directly after, as there can be small (but safe) elevations in your blood pressure after exercise.

Find your nearest Pressure Station here