PREVENTION.

Not all brain haemorrhages are preventable.

But some are.

At The Natalie Kate Moss Trust we want to Prevent the Preventable.

We firmly believe that we can prevent more tragedies from occurring through educating and empowering more people to better understand why brain haemorrhages happen so that they can take back control of their own health.

Read below to find out how to prevent brain haemorrhages.

#PreventthePreventable

CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CAMPAIGN

High blood pressure is the leading cause of lifestyle related brain haemorrhage.

On average a third of people have high blood pressure

… but 50% of those people don’t know they have high blood pressure!!

REMINDER: CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

How to Check your Blood Pressure.

Step 1: Get your blood pressure checked

1/ Visit your GP

Book an appointment with your GP and ask them to check your blood pressure.

Some GP’s even have a blood pressure monitor in the reception for you to nip in and check your own.

2/ Visit your Local Tesco Pharmacy

With over 350 Tesco stores with Pharmacy’s, all offering free Blood Pressure Checks, this is your easiest solution to getting your blood pressure checked, without having to wait for a GP appointment.

Click here to use the TESCO store locator below to find your nearest Tesco Pharmacy.

3/ Purchase a Monitor

Blood pressure kits can be bought from most pharmacy’s or online. Having a blood pressure monitor at home is the best way to consistently monitor and manage your blood pressure.

Use the CODE OMRON15 to get 15% off here - offer only available until 31st July.

Step 2: Know your readings

Keep still and quiet while you take your reading. Moving, chewing, talking and laughing can affect your reading. Make sure you don't cross your legs, as this will raise your reading too.

Take two or three readings, each about one to two minutes apart. If your first reading is much higher than the next, ignore it and take an extra reading. Once you have two to three readings, you can work out the average. Keep a record of your measurements.

There are 2 numbers because the blood pressure varies with the heartbeat. e.g. 120/80

The top number, the higher pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, pumping blood into the arteries: this is called systolic pressure.

The bottom number, the lower pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed between beats. This pressure is called diastolic pressure.

Most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg. If your reading is higher than this, please make an appointment with your GP.

Use the chart to check your reading.

Source: OMRON

Step 3: Manage your blood pressure

If your Blood Pressure is High or Low

A blood pressure test is a ‘snap shot’ in time, which could be influenced by your stress levels that day, what you have eaten and many other factors.
Continue to test your blood pressure again over the next few days and weeks for more accurate results, testing frequently gives you a view of your blood pressure over time. If it is consistently too high (or too low), or if you have any concerns whatsoever, then please speak with your GP.
Consider how your lifestyle could be affecting your blood pressure and proactively make changes to manage it. Scroll down to read more on this.

If your Blood Pressure is Normal

Continue to monitor your blood pressure periodically, making it a habit to check it every couple of months.
Review your lifestyle to ensure it is supporting your blood pressure in the long term, look at stress, sleep, diet, alcohol intake etc and prevent high blood pressure before it even happens.

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Managing your Blood Pressure.

Lifestyle can be a significant contributor of high blood pressure, therefore managing your lifestyle and wellbeing, may help to reduce high blood pressure. Poor diet high in salt, little exercise, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption are all key contributors to high blood pressure.

However if you do have high blood pressure, please do also ensure you also speak to your GP.

Click here to read 6 ways to keep your blood pressure down.

FAQs

Place the arm cuff just above your elbow. The cuff should be about 2cm above your elbow to make sure it can detect the artery in your arm, just under the skin.
Blood pressure can be quite variable, even in the same person. Blood pressure goes up and down with different normal daily activities, it can differ from day to night and between seasons. It can also rise when you grow older and if you gain weight. This is why it is important to test more frequently.
It is uncommon for hypertension to disappear by itself. The general rule is that blood pressure gets higher with time and the risk of complications goes up also. Which is why it is important to keep on top of your blood pressure to avoid complications.
Yes! Depending on the individual circumstance, it may be that certain lifestyle changes will support to lower your blood pressure e.g. stopping smoking, reducing salt intake and alcohol intake, losing weight, improving sleep and reducing stress. Otherwise your doctor may advise to medication to lower your blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure or if you are worried at all always speak to your GP.
Unfortunately hypertension usually causes no symptoms, so over time severe damage to your arteries, heart, and brain can occur before the condition is diagnosed. This can happen to anyone of any age, which is why it is important that everyone tests their blood pressure regularly in order to mitigate this risk.
Hypertension affects all ages. In a report from the ONS, they show that the age group 16-35 has the highest percentage of undiagnosed cases of high blood pressure proportionally to the number of cases. Moreover they show that a large percentage of people who have undiagnosed hypertension would self diagnose themselves as being in good health, not be obese or smoke. This is why it is important for everyone to check their blood pressure.
Take readings at the same time each day. For example, first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Your blood pressure can vary throughout the day and with different activities, so this will mean you’re comparing like with like. It’s good to have a routine – like measuring your blood pressure before breakfast.
When and how often you take your readings will depend on your blood pressure. Speak to your doctor or nurse about what’s suitable for you.
It can be useful to monitor your blood pressure closely to begin with, such as every day for a week, then less often but at regular intervals, such as once a week.
The top number, the higher pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, pumping blood into the arteries: this is called systolic pressure.
The bottom number, the lower pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed between beats. This pressure is called diastolic pressure.

Fancy running your first 10km or marathon, or what about hiking a mountain or maybe cycling across the country?

Whatever your challenge may be, we would love to support you every step of the way. Together let’s raise vital funds to help Prevent and Treat Brain Haemorrhages.

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