Testing time for Stockport’s health chiefs

2nd June 2016

Two of Stockport’s health chiefs put themselves to the test in support of a campaign aimed at reducing the number of heart attacks and strokes suffered by local people.

Jane Crombleholme, the Chair of Stockport CCG – the organisation that commissions all health care in the borough – and Dr Ranjit Gill, a local GP and the Chief Clinical Officer of the CCG had their blood pressure levels tested at this month’s governing body meeting.

Both came out with healthy blood pressure levels but testing is vital as there are generally no signs if it is high.

High blood pressure – medically known as hypertension – may have no symptoms but it massively increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

A quick and painless test can identify the problem but it’s believed around 15,000 people in Stockport have high blood pressure and don’t know it.

Dr Ranjit Gill said “Having your blood pressure taken costs you nothing but we have a huge number of people in Stockport who are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not having it done.

“It really is nothing to be afraid of. The test is simple and quick and the treatment, if you have high blood pressure, is easy. If not for yourself, do it for your family. They’ll be the ones left devastated if you have a heart attack or stroke.”

If you can get to your practice then a quick test will tell you if your blood pressure is higher than it should be and there are plenty of ways to treat it.

You are said to have hypertension if your reading consistently shows your blood pressure to be 140/90 or higher. Ideally you should aim for a reading under 120/80.

If your blood pressure is slightly raised it can often be brought down to a healthier level by some modest lifestyle adjustments – losing a bit of weight, doing some more exercise and reducing the amount of salt in your diet.

If it is too high, it can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Your doctor will advise on the best way to deal with it.