GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS has confirmed that Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland and The Stroke Association have been successful in setting a new Guinness World Record for the number of blood pressure readings taken in one day. The official announcement coincides with the start of National Blood Pressure Testing Week and comes two weeks before The Stroke Association’s annual Stroke Awareness Week which starts on Monday 29 September.

On Saturday April 5 2003, The Stroke Association and Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland organised blood pressure readings for 127,573 people, at over 1,000 sites, across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The blood pressure readings were taken by qualified medical staff, , and everyone who had their blood pressure taken was given a card with the reading on to take along to their GP if necessary. Stroke is one of the biggest causes of death and severe adult disability in the UK.

“The aim was to ensure as many people as possible were given the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked and be made aware of any necessary lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet,” says Jerry Doyle, Director of Public Relations, at The Stroke Association.

“Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the number one cause of avoidable strokes. For every 10 people who die of strokes, four could have been saved if they had arranged regular blood pressure checks and then followed medical advice. It is fantastic that so many people came along and had their reading taken as there is no clear way of knowing when your blood pressure is rising, apart from having it measured.”

Tony de St Dalmas, Past President Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland comments ‘I am delighted at the success of the Stroke Awareness Day and the recognition of a world record by Guinness World Records. I would like to thank the nurses and doctors who supported Rotary Clubs to make this day possible. Rotarians believe that stroke is a major issue for our communities and costs too many people their lives, too many families and carers great suffering and hardship, and costs the national health service billions of pounds every year. I believe that awareness and prevention are vital and this initiative struck a chord with the general public. As the condition is usually symptomless, people think they don't need to be checked. By making blood pressure checks easily available, we hope that this has helped to reduce the chances of people suffering a stroke. Following on from this success Rotary and The Stroke Association will be organizing another Blood Pressure Testing Day next year."

Rotary Club of Donaghadee took part in this event in conjunction with the Chest Heart and Stoke Association for Northern Ireland. Around 240 people had their blood pressure checked in Donaghadee that day. We aim to repeat this in 2004.