Did you know that uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke? The Croí Third Age programme, which aims to promote healthy cardiovascular ageing, is delighted to partner with local pharmacies across Mayo and Roscommon for the month of September, which is World Heart Month, to offer free blood pressure checks to anyone who has not had their blood pressure checked in the past year, with a particular focus on those over 55 years of age.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. This causes many harmful effects on the body and if left untreated can significantly increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure typically has no symptoms – the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly (at least once a year).
“We are delighted to be extending our blood pressure awareness campaign to Roscommon this September following the success of our previous campaigns in Mayo. The prevalence of high blood pressure in Ireland, particularly for people over the age of 55, is startling. Early detection is key and will save lives”, says Dr Lisa Hynes, Head of Health Programmes at Croí.
From September 1st – 30th, pharmacies across Mayo and Roscommon will be participating in this initiative. Visit one of the participating pharmacies for your free blood pressure check and ‘Own it, Check it, Sort it!’.
The participating pharmacies include:
Roscommon: Ballaghaderreen – Molloy’s Pharmacy; Boyle – Natural Options Pharmacy; Castlerea – Kearney’s Chemist, Tully’s Pharmacy; Elphin – Elphin Pharmacy; Roscommon Town – Hynes Pharmacy, McGuinness Pharmacy, Molloy’s Pharmacy, Rosmed Pharmacy; Strokestown – McDonnell’s Pharmacy.
Mayo: Ballina – Kilroy’s Pharmacy; Ballinrobe – Hynes Pharmacy, Ryder’s Pharmacy; Ballyhaunis – Curley’s Pharmacy; Castlebar – Treacy’s Pharmacy, Staunton’s Pharmacy (Main Street), Staunton’s Pharmacy (Antrim Street), Staunton’s Pharmacy (Bridge Street), Staunton’s Pharmacy (Hopkin’s Street); Claremorris – Aran Health Pharmacy; Kilkelly – Life Pharmacy; Louisburgh – Staunton’s Pharmacy; Westport – O’Connell’s Pharmacy, O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, Treacy’s Pharmacy.
Croí ‘My Blood Pressure’ Programme
Members of the public found to have high blood pressure will be offered information and advice, as well as the opportunity to take part in a free Croí Blood Pressure Management Programme delivered by the Croí Multi-Disciplinary Health Team.
Visit www.croi.ie/thirdage for more information.