Did you know that stroke is one of the nation’s biggest killers ?
Incredibly, there is one stroke in Australia every ten minutes, which is more than 50,000 new and recurrent strokes a year, according to Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan.
Shockingly, many of these strokes may be prevented.
Well, it’s time to take action and you can do that by getting behind the National Stroke Foundation and Priceline Pharmacy’s Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check, which launches today.
Local residents are being urged to take action and get their blood pressure checked by joining in with celebrities, stroke survivors, Olympians and health professionals.
The aim is to deliver 50,000 free blood pressure checks around the country and raise vital awareness of the risks associated with stroke.
This month, free checks are being provided at hundreds of locations across Australia including Priceline Pharmacy stores, selected Westfield shopping centers and Know your Numbers sites in Queensland. And to find your nearest site visit www.strokefoundation.com.au
Stroke advocate and media personality Chris Bath urges people to take advantage of the free checks and be aware of their stroke risk.
Chris witnessed first-hand stroke’s devastating impact after her father Don was struck down by the terrible disease. Here she tells why action is needed now:
“Like so many, I didn’t know much about stroke until I was directly impacted.
I was stunned to find out how many strokes were preventable and that doing something as simple as managing your blood pressure could seriously reduce your risk of this debilitating disease.
Stroke is one of this country’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability – it strikes down thousands of Australians each year. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Apart from the usual healthy lifestyle choices we all should make, the best way to guard against stroke is by having simple, regular blood pressure checks.
Let’s take the pressure down this month and raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke. Take advantage of a free, quick and simple check anytime this month at an Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check site near you.”
