7 September 2008

'Pressure station' opens at Ninewells

Are you at risk from the blood pressure time bomb? 16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but five million of them don’t know it.

Next week - Monday 8th September to Friday 12th September - is Know Your Numbers! Week, promoted by the Blood Pressure Association to raise awareness.

At Ninewells Hospital the Clinical Research Centre Public Information Point in the main concourse will be operating as an Official Pressure Station, where people can take free blood pressure checks.

'Uncontrolled high blood pressure is like a hidden time bomb which can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure,' said Professor Tom MacDonald, one of the country’s leading experts in blood pressure research, based at the University of Dundee.

'Taking a short time to have a blood pressure check, which is free and entirely painless, could make a huge difference to people’s lives. I would urge anyone who hasn’t had a check to take this opportunity.'

The Pressure Station will be open from 10am -12noon and from 2-4pm each day.

Staff from the Clinical Research Centre and Hypertension Research Centre will be available to measure blood pressure and raise awareness of the importance or regular blood pressure checks.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk