An update on Healthwatch Haringey’s blood pressure project
Healthwatch Haringey staff and volunteers have been attending local community meetings and events and identifying people who have high blood pressure or very high blood pressure but do not know it. There are usually no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure but, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. We have been targeting those individuals and groups at the highest risk of high blood pressure, for example older people and Black communities.
We are identifying people with high blood pressure, strongly encouraging them to make an appointment with their GP to follow-up, and helping them get the information, advice and support they need at the right time.
Events attended
Over the last two months we have attended:
- Black Communities’ Healthy Living and Lifestyle Fair on 29 October
- Women with a Voice meeting on 9 November
- Roj Women’s Association weekly exercise class on 14 November
- Tottenham Pensioners Action Group meeting on 22 November
- Haringey Over 50s Forum AGM on 22 November
- Rise Projects job fair on 29 November and
- Haringey Community Expo on 1 December.
What we found
So far we have carried out free blood pressure checks on 148 people:
- 3 people (2%) had severely high blood pressure,
- 38 people (26%) had high blood pressure, and
- 57 people (39%) had slightly high blood pressure.
We can come to you!
Would you like us to attend an event in Haringey to deliver free blood pressure checks? If you know of any local meetings or events where you would like us to deliver free blood pressure checks, please email or call us:
info@healthwatchharingey.org.uk
020 8888 0579
We are particularly interested in attending events including older people, carers, Black African and Black Caribbean communities, Turkish and Kurdish communities, people experiencing homelessness, Gypsies and Travellers, disabled people (physical disabilities and learning disabilities) and other local people who might find it hard to access GP and healthcare services.
Training sessions
If you work for a local voluntary and community sector group, would you like to join us for one of our training sessions?
We will be running information and training sessions for staff working in the voluntary and community sector so they too can offer free blood pressure checks to the people they are working with and supporting in the community.
These sessions will cover why blood pressure is important, the risk factors for high blood pressure, how to reduce your blood pressure, how to carry out a blood pressure check, what the reading means, and where to signpost people for more advice, support and help.
The information and training sessions will take place at Tottenham Town Hall.
Please email or call us for further details.
info@healthwatchharingey.org.uk
020 8888 0579
One You Haringey
Get free tips and advice on how to lead a healthier lifestyle and sign up for free walking groups, exercise programmes or weight management.
Free health checks are also available at Haringey venues.
Downloads
Checking your blood pressure in Haringey - Healthwatch Information and findings about hypertension in Haringey communities.
