Press release -
Bedford gives a hand to prevent stroke this World Stroke Day
The Stroke Association will mark World Stroke Day on Monday 26 October by hosting a Know Your Blood Pressure event at Bedford Guildhouse, and help prevent the biggest cause of stroke.
To coincide with World Stroke Day (Thursday 29 October), the Stroke Association will offer free blood pressure checks to visitors at Bedford Guildhouse on Harpur Street from 11:30am to 2pm. They’ll also provide information and advice to raise awareness of the causes of stroke.
High blood pressure is the biggest controllable risk factor for stroke, contributing to about half of all strokes. Almost a quarter of people in the East of England are living with high blood pressure.
Wendy Jephcote, Stroke Prevention Coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “This World Stroke Day, we’re encouraging everyone to come along to Bedford Guildhouse and find out more about the risk factors for stroke. Getting tested is simple; blood pressure tests are quick and painless. We hope to see lots of people on Thursday when they can learn about how to help prevent stroke.”
World Stroke Day takes place each year on 29 October. Since 2006, World Stroke Day has highlighted the worldwide rates of stroke, raised awareness of the steps that can be taken to prevent stroke and called for better support for stroke survivors and carers.
Between 26 October and 01 November, the Stroke Association is also calling on people to ‘Give a Hand’ and raise vital funds for the charity. To find out more, visit www.stroke.org.uk/giveahand
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
