Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Stroke Foundation I’d like to thank the thousands of Australians who helped take the pressure down this April by participating in Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check. During April, the Stroke Foundation aimed to deliver 50,000 free blood pressure checks around the country and raise vital awareness of the risks associated with stroke. With your support we exceeded this total, delivering more than 56,000 checks across the country.
Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about stroke and how they can reduce their own risk. I am confident that there are thousands of people in the community who are more informed and can take control of their health after the campaign. In fact, one in three of those who completed the stroke risk rating were found to be at urgent high risk and referred to their doctor for advice on how to lower their blood pressure, reduce their risk of stroke and improve their health.
With Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check coming to a close it is vital we remember
strokes don’t just happen one month of the year. Every ten minutes an Australian has a stroke. However, there are many things we can all do to help protect ourselves, like being aware of and managing our blood pressure, getting more active, maintaining a healthy diet, stopping smoking, reducing our alcohol consumption.
Thanks to our incredible supporters more Australians are aware of their stroke risk than ever before. But our work doesn’t stop here – it is our mission to ensure everyone understands what a stroke is and what they can do to avoid having one.
Sharon McGowan
Chief Executive Officer
Stroke Foundation