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Blood pressures rise as MLAs go back to work

Monday 15 September 2008

Health promotion nurses from Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) were busy at Stormont today (Mon 15 Sept) monitoring politicians’ blood pressure as they went back to work.

Blood pressures rise as MLAs go back to work

- 10 per cent of staff tested had high blood pressure

Health promotion nurses from Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) were busy at Stormont today (Mon 15 Sept) monitoring politicians' blood pressure as they went back to work.

Of 70 people tested, which included politicians and staff at the Assembly, nearly 10 per cent were referred to their GP for a follow-up assessment.

High blood pressure is just one of a number of risk factors that can trigger a stroke, which claims around 1,500 lives in Northern Ireland each year. Stroke is also the biggest cause of disability in Northern Ireland.

Maureen McCourt, NICHS senior health promotion nurse, was taking blood pressure as well as giving advice in Stormont's canteen. She said: "We would encourage everyone to have their blood pressure monitored regularly, particularly if you are in highly stressful circumstances such as your job or family situation. We are asking politicians to take a few minutes out of their busy schedule to get their blood pressure checked and, if it is high, to take steps to reduce it."

SDLP assembly member Carmel Hanna called for people to take responsibility for their own health: "My family has a history of stroke and heart disease which I'm very conscious of. My younger sister died of a heart attack at 56 and my brother at 60. Another of my sisters died of a stroke, so I am very aware of the need to watch my diet and take plenty of exercise.

"Whether people believe it or not, politicians have very busy, hectic lifestyles, it is not a job that is good for the blood pressure."

To mark Stroke Awareness Week (15 to 21 Sept), NICHS has launched a stroke prevention campaign to highlight steps you can take to avoid having a stroke.

This includes producing thousands of information cards that can fit into your wallet, listing the symptoms of stroke and how to prevent it. The organisation is also promoting its website and advice line in a poster and radio advertising campaign.

High blood pressure can be a result of a number of factors including unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, as well as stress.

Media Coverage: BBC Devenport Diaries

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