BMI Healthcare Hospitals Offer Free Blood Pressure Checks and Advice During Know Your Numbers! Week (7-13 September)

September 2, 2009

- One in Three People Have High Blood Pressure; Over Five Million Don't Know it

LONDON, September 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of Know Your Numbers! Week (7-13 September), the nation's biggest blood pressure event, BMI Healthcare hospitals across the country will be offering free blood pressure checks and advice to the public.

BMI Intelligent Health assessment teams will be running the free 'blood pressure stations' in Aberdeen (The Albyn Hospital), Bath (Bath Hospital), Beckenham (The Sloane Hospital), Bedford (The Manor Hospital), (The Alexandra Hospital), Chertsey (Runneymede), Darlington (The Woodlands Hospital), Dundee (The Fernbrae Hospital), Edgbaston (Priory Hospital), Glasgow (Ross Hall Hospital), Goring By Sea (Goring Hall Hospital), Guildford (The Friary Centre), Harrow (The Clementine Churchill), Hendon (The Garden Hospital), Longfield (Fawkham Manor), Rochdale (The Highfield Hospital), Maidstone (The Somerfield Hospital), Milton Keynes (The Saxon Clinic), Winchester (Sarum Road Hospital) and Windsor (The Princess Margaret Hospital). For details about hospital addresses and station opening times, please see below or visit: http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk

Organised by the UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, The Know Your Numbers! Campaign is designed to encourage Britons to monitor and maintain a healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease and strokes and can also cause kidney disease and eye problems. Today, although one in three people in the UK have high blood pressure[i], over five million people don't know it[ii], which is why high blood pressure is now commonly known as 'the silent killer'. Yet, once high blood pressure is diagnosed, it can be lowered by adopting a healthy diet and regular exercise or taking medicine as prescribed by a doctor.

"Many people don't know what their blood pressure level is, but it is important to know this as it can vary from person to person. Patients should ensure they have their blood pressure checked by a registered health professional as they can provide useful health advice and tips on how to maintain a healthy pressure reading as well as send notes to your GP if needed," says Professor Peter Taggart, health assessment doctor, BMI Healthcare. "High blood pressure affects so many people, and having a quick blood pressure check is the first step to reducing the risk of having a stroke or heart attack."

Mike Rich, Executive Director of the Blood Pressure Association, said: "We are delighted BMI hospitals are taking part in Know your Numbers! Week 2009 to help provide free and convenient blood pressure checks."

"For this year's campaign theme, we're asking 'Could YOU be the 1 in 3?' because a third of UK adults have high blood pressure, yet millions are unaware they have the condition. Having a blood pressure check during Know your Numbers! Week couldn't be easier - it's quick, free and painless, and could save your life."

BMI Healthcare will also be encouraging people who have a free blood pressure check to 'know all your numbers' by offering them a 15% discount on all BMI Intelligent Health Assessments, which can be booked at a later date[iii]. People who get checked will also be automatically entered into a raffle to win a free BMI Select Intelligent Health assessment,[iv] which is a comprehensive series of tests designed to detect any early signs of disease, enabling earlier treatment and more effective disease management.

BMI Healthcare offers a range of health assessments giving you quality time with a specialist doctor or nurse to gain an understanding of your particular health risks and discuss any health concerns. Health assessments vary in price from GBP150-GBP650 depending on the type of screen chosen. For information about BMI's Intelligent Health Services, visit http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/health-screening. For further information about Know your Numbers Week please visit http://www.bpassoc.org.uk

    
    BMI Blood Pressure Stations locations, dates, and opening times are:

    City        Location/Address   Blood Pressure      Contact
                                   Station Dates &     Number
                                   Times

    Aberdeen    Albyn Hospital     7 Sept              +44(0)1224-595-993
                                   (13:30-15:00)       
                21-24 Albyn Place, 8 & 10 Sept
                                   (12:00-14:00)
                Aberdeen, Grampian
                AB10 1RW

    Bath        Bath Clinic        7 Sept (09:00-12:00 +44(01225-835-555
                                   & 14:00-16:00)      
                Claverton Down     8 Sept
                Road, Combe Down,  (14:00-15:30)
                Bath, Somerset     11 Sept
                                   (10:00-12:00)
                BA2 7BR

    Bedford     The Manor Hospital 7 and 9-11 Sept     +44(0)1234-364-252
                                   (14:00-17:00)       
                Church End,
                Biddenham,
                Bedford,
                Bedfordshire
                MK40 4AW

    Beckenham   The Sloane         8 Sept (09:30-12:30 +44(0)20-8466-4000
                Hospital           & 13:30-17:00)      
                125 Albemarle Road
                Beckenham, Kent
                BR3 5HS

    Cheadle     The Alexandra      7,8,9,10 Sept       +44(0)161-428-3656
                Hospital           (10:00-13:00 &      
                                   14:00-16:00)
                Mill Lane,         11 Sept
                Cheadle, Cheshire  (10:00-13:00)
                SK8 2PX

    Chertsey    The Runnymede      7 Sept              +44(0)1932-877-800
                Hospital           (09:00-13:00)       
                Guildford Road (at
                side of St Peters
                Hospital)
                Ottershaw,
                Chertsey, Surrey
                KT16 0RQ

    Darlington  Woodlands Hospital 7-11 Sept (09:00    +44(0)1325-341700
                                   -17:00)
                Morton Park,
                Darlington, County
                Durham
                DL1 4PL

    Dundee      Fernbrae Hospital  7, 9, 11 Sept       +44(0)1382-631-400
                                   (10:00 -12:00)      
                329 Perth Road     8 Sept
                                   (17:00-20:00)
                Dundee, Angus      10 Sept
                                   (14:00-16:00)
                DD2 1LJ

    Edgbaston   Priory Dene        7-11 Sept           +44(0)121-440-2323
                Building - Health  (10:00-13:00 &      
                Screening          14:00-16:00)
                Priory Hospital
                Priory Road,
                Edgbaston,
                Birmingham
                B5 7UG

    Goring By   Goring Hall        11 Sept             +44(0)1903-506699
    Sea         Hospital           (10:00-12:00 &
                                   13:00-15:00)
                Bodiam Avenue,
                Goring By Sea,
                Worthing,
                West Sussex BN12
                5AT

    Glasgow     Ross Hall Hospital 8 Sept (08:00-13:00 +44(0)141-810-3151
                                   & 13:20-20:00)      
                221 Crookston Road 9 & 11 Sept
                                   (08:00-11:00 &
                Glasgow, G52 3NQ   13:00-17:00)

    Guildford   The Friary Centre  10 Sept             +44(0)1483-570-122
                                   (09:30-04:30)       (Mount
                Guildford                              Alvernia
                                                       Hospital)
                GU1 4YT

    Harrow      The Clementine     7, 9, 10, 11 Sept   +44(0)20-8872-3872
                Churchill Hospital (10:00-12:00)       
                Sudbury Hill       8 Sept
                                   (14:00-16:00)
                Harrow, Middx
                HA1 3RX

    Hendon      The Garden         7-11 Sept           +44(0)20-8457-4500
                Hospital           (14:00-16:00)       
                46-50 Sunny
                Gardens Road,
                Hendon, London
                NW4 1RP
 
    Longfield   Fawkham Manor      7, 9 & 10 Sept      +44(0)1474-879-900
                Hospital           (09:00-12:00 &      
                                   14:00-16:00)
                Manor Lane,
                Fawkham,           8 & 11 Sept
                                   (09:00-12:00 &
                Longfield, Kent    18:00-20:00)
                DA3 8ND

    Maidstone   The Somerfield     10 &11 Sept         +44(0)1622-208-000
                Hospital           (09:00-13:00)       
                63-77 London Road
                Maidstone, Kent
                ME16 0DU

    Milton      The Saxon Clinic   7 Sept              +44(0)1908-665-533
    Keynes                         (08:30-14:00)       
                Chadwick Drive,
                Saxon Street,      8 Sept
                Milton Keynes,     (13:00-17:00)
                Buckinghamshire
                MK6 5LR

    Rochdale    The Highfield      10 Sept             +44(01706-655-121
                Hospital           (10:00-17:00)       
                Manchester Road
                Rochdale,
                Lancashire
                OL11 4LZ

    Winchester  Sarum Road         8 &10 Sept          +44(0)1962-844555
                Hospital           (09:00-13:00)
                Sarum Road
                Winchester,
                Hampshire
                SO22 5HA

    Windsor     Windsor Royal      11 Sept             +44(0)1753-743-434
                Shopping           (12:00-16:00)       (The
                                                       Princess
                5 Goswell Hill                         Margaret
                                                       Hospital)
                Windsor, Berkshire
                SL4 1RH

About BMI Healthcare

BMI Healthcare is the UK's largest independent healthcare provider with over 60 hospitals and clinics nationwide and performing more complex surgery than any other private healthcare provider in the country. Our commitment is to quality and value, providing facilities for advanced surgical procedures together with friendly, professional care. For more information about BMI Healthcare please visit, http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk

About The Blood Pressure Association

The Blood Pressure Association is the UK's leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation's blood pressure. The charity provides information and support for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the condition. The charity won the healthcare category of The Charity Awards 2008 for its work on the Know your Numbers! campaign. For more information visit the charity's main website at http://www.bpassoc.org.uk ---------------------------------

[i] Know Your Numbers! Blood Pressure Association. Date accessed 040809 http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/microsites/kyn/Home/AboutKYN/Theneed

[ii] Know Your Numbers! Blood Pressure Association. Date accessed 040809 http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/microsites/kyn/Home/AboutKYN/Theneed

[iii] Terms and conditions: The discount is only available with the Essential, Select, Advanced and Advanced Plus health assessments. You must book your health assessment by 31/10/09.

[iv] BMI Select Health Assessment includes gender specific tests for female and male cancers and tests including an ECG, cardiovascular risk score and consultations with both a nurse and doctor. Please visit http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/bmi/health-screening/bmi-select ---------------------------------

Note to Editors:

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    BMI Healthcare press contacts:
    Tara Jacquin - +44(0)208-232-5131 or Tara.jacquin@ghg.co.uk
    Linda Apeles - +44(0)207-009-4544 or Linda.Apeles@ghg.co.uk

    Blood Pressure Association press contact:
    Anna Cureton - +44(0)20-8772-4993 or acureton@sgul.ac.uk