As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, health experts in Somerset are urging people not to take their heart health for granted.
Somerset Council’s Public Health team and NHS Somerset have joined forces to launch an awareness campaign.
It is estimated that one in three people in Somerset have high blood pressure – but many do not even know it.
Public health officials are encouraging adults to check their blood pressure regularly and take advantage of free NHS Health Checks.
Cllr Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment, said: “It’s very easy to take your heart health for granted – but that can be a serious mistake.
“We want people across Somerset to understand that looking after your heart isn’t complicated or frightening.
“Small actions like checking your blood pressure, attending a free NHS Health Check, or borrowing a monitor from your local library can make a huge difference.
“Valentine’s Day is about showing love to others – but it’s also the perfect moment to show some love to yourself. Taking a few minutes to check your health really could save your life.”
Blood pressure monitor kits can be borrowed free of charge from any library in Somerset, alongside other health and wellbeing resources such as activity tracker watches.
Free NHS Health Checks – where blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI are checked – are also available to anyone aged 40 to 74.
As we get older, the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes increases.
The good news is that an NHS Health Check can spot early warning signs and help people take action early, protecting their health for the future.
Somerset Public Health is also sharing the heart health message through Valentine’s greetings cards and bookmarks distributed via Somerset libraries, alongside coverage through newspapers, leaflets and social media.
Dr Tom MacConnell, Consultant Cardiologist and Deputy Medical Director at NHS Somerset, said: “High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because people can feel completely well and have no symptoms, yet their heart and blood vessels are under constant strain.
“The good news is that high blood pressure is easy to detect, easy to monitor, and very treatable. A simple check can identify a problem early and prevent life-changing events like heart attacks and strokes.
“We strongly encourage people to take up the offer of free NHS Health Checks and local blood pressure monitoring schemes – they are simple steps that can protect your health for years to come.”
A short campaign film has also been produced and can be viewed below:
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Great insights on heart health – thank you for sharing! I also found that sleep plays an important role in managing blood sugar levels, which can impact overall cardiovascular wellness. Looking forward to more expert tips from County Health!