NHS Somerset begin 24-hour 'Test-A-Thon' to raise blood pressure awareness
Free checks are being offered in workplaces, shopping centres and supermarkets
Somerset's NHS is staging a 24-hour 'Test-A-Thon' where they are checking blood pressures at workplaces and supermarkets.
The challenge is part of Somerset's Take the Pressure off campaign which has already seen over 2,000 people receive free blood pressure checks in community settings and workplaces since the campaign launched in March.
Hinkley Point, Jay’s Logistics in Higbridge, supermarkets including ASDA, and shopping centres including The Quedam in Yeovil and Angel Place in Bridgwater are involved.
Professor Trudi Grant, Executive Director of Public and Population Health for Somerset Council and NHS, said: "Our ‘Take the Pressure Off’ campaign aims to test the blood pressure of as many people as possible in Somerset between March 2024 and March 2025.
"High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it is thought that about 40,000 people in Somerset have high blood pressure but don’t know it. I
"It’s a really simple test so don’t wait – get tested now at your local community pharmacy or borrow a self-testing kit from your library that you can use at home; it could save your life.”
She added: "If you can’t attend the Test-A-Thon, you can borrow a blood pressure monitor for free from Somerset libraries to check your blood pressure at home.
"Free checks are also available at community pharmacies. Testing will also be available at various locations across the county throughout the rest of the year.
Test-A-Thon locations include
- 11am - 2pm: The Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil
- 2pm - 5pm: Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater
- 5pm - 8pm: ASDA Superstore, Taunton