East Riding Leisure Centres to offer free blood pressure checks for Know your Numbers Week

Know your Numbers Week runs from Monday 2 September to Sunday 8 September, and East Riding residents can get a free blood pressure check at various locations throughout the week.

The annual campaign is led by Blood Pressure UK and aims to encourage people to get their blood pressure checked, and seek support and advice about how lifestyle changes can reduce high blood pressure. Blood Pressure UK campaigns for every adult to know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight. 

East Riding Leisure Centres are running blood pressure clinics in Bridlington, Hornsea, Driffield, Beverley, Haltemprice, Withernsea, Francis Scaife, Goole and South Holderness.

East Riding Libraries offer blood pressure monitors for residents to borrow for a two-week period, to monitor their blood pressure at home.

Residents can also have a blood pressure check at local community pharmacies, GP surgeries and a new health check machine is available at Morrisons in Bridlington. 

Councillor Jonathan Owen, cabinet member for public health said: “This year’s theme is - You have the power to successfully manage your blood pressure, but only if you know your numbers. I’d encourage residents to take up the opportunities at our leisure centres and via libraries and Know your Numbers!

“I had my blood pressure checked a few years ago, which led to me making some lifestyle changes, from which I’ve seen and felt a real benefit.”

Andy Kingdom, director of public health at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “About a quarter of the population has high blood pressure, and blood pressure tends to get higher as people get older.  

“The good news is that there is a simple blood pressure check that people can do, and if someone’s blood pressure is higher than it should be there are ways to reduce it.  

“Lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, physical activity and in some cases prescribed medication can all decrease blood pressure, and in turn reduce chances of long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

"Normal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. For over-80s, because it’s normal for arteries to get stiffer as we get older, the ideal blood pressure is under 150/90 mmHg (or 145/85 mmHg at home).

“For those where blood pressure is higher than it should be, there is support on hand to make lifestyle changes through East Riding’s free Healthier Futures programme.”

Find out more about Xyla Health and Wellbeing’s Healthier Futures programme: www.healthier-futures.co.uk or call 0330 236 9102.

Free blood pressure clinics will run in East Riding Leisure Centres on –

Monday 2 to Friday 6 September: Goole, 10am to 2pm

Monday 2 September: Driffield, 10am to 4pm

Monday 2 September: Bridlington, 10am to 4pm

Tuesday 3 September: Hornsea, 10am to 4pm

Tuesday 3 September: Beverley, 10am to 4pm

Wednesday 4 September: Haltemprice, 10am to 4pm

Thursday 5 September: Withernsea, 10am to 4pm

Thursday 5 September, Francis Scaife, 10am to 4pm

Friday 6 September: South Holderness, 12pm to 4pm

The NHS YOURHealth team will be at Bridlington Harbour on Monday 2 September offering blood pressure checks to residents and local fishermen and women.

In addition, Xyla Health and Wellbeing – commissioned through East Riding of Yorkshire Council - will be working in partnership with the Active Communities team and will be joining the Walking for Health groups during Know your Numbers week.

Xyla will be on hand to offer advice and information at the following sessions:

Tuesday 3 September: Sewerby, 10.30-11.30am and Hessle 10-11am

Wednesday 4 September: Market Weighton 10-11am, Goole 10.30-11.30am, and Preston 1.30-2.30pm

Thursday 5 September: Beverley 11am-12pm and Bridlington 10-11am

Friday 6 September: Humber Community Hub 10-11am

Find out more about blood pressure and all events taking place across the Humber and North Yorkshire area during Know your Numbers Week.