Lord Mayor of Nottingham leads the way at Know Your Blood Pressure event

Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Liaqat Ali, was checked for high blood pressure by the Stroke Association this week (Tuesday 11 September) at his Nottingham City Council office.

The charity organises free ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ events across the country to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke.

Cllr Ali, who has chosen the Stroke Association as this year’s Lord Mayor’s Charity, alongside the Midlands Doctors charity said:

“It is vitally important that as many of us as possible are aware of factors that can increase our chance of stroke.

“It was fascinating to have my blood pressure taken and discover the lifestyle changes we can all make to reduce our risk of stroke.

“The work the Stroke Association does is incredible and I am proud to have them as the Lord Mayors Charity”

Lucy Burnip, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association said,

“Stroke kills and causes serious disability. High blood pressure doesn’t have any symptoms so you won’t know you have it unless you have a check carried out. Getting your blood pressure checked is quick, simple and painless, and it could save your life.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to the Lord Mayor for choosing to support the Stroke Association and helping raise awareness of how people can protect themselves from this devastating condition.”

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off by a blood clot or a bleed, killing brain cells. While certain medical conditions, family history and lifestyle choices increase the risk of stroke the biggest cause is high blood pressure, which contributes to half of all strokes.

High blood pressure can put a strain on all the blood vessels in your body, including the ones leading to your brain. This makes a blockage more likely to develop or a blood vessel in the brain to weaken and bleed, both of which could cause a stroke.

Free ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ events take place at offices, churches, leisure centres and hospitals throughout the UK with specially trained Stroke Association representatives providing information and advice about stroke and providing blood pressure checks. For information about your nearest event or how to arrange for an event in your area visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/get-involved/know-your-blood-pressure/events