FREE health checks are being provided in Tavistock town centre this Saturday, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the danger of strokes.
The blood pressure checks are being carried out by medical volunteers on behalf of Tavistock Rotary Club. It is the second year the club has run the blood pressure check day, in conjunction with the Stroke Association?s stroke awareness programme.
Dr Robin Wilson, a member of Tavistock Rotary Club, said the free blood pressure check was a simple exercise which could save lives.
Dr Wilson said: ?Last year in Tavistock we took over 130 readings and advised several people to see their GP for further checks.
?If we can prevent just one person from suffering a stroke then the effort will be worthwhile.
?This is targeted at people who don?t see their doctor of a regular basis and anybody who hasn?t had their blood pressure checked recently should take advantage of this opportunity.?
A spokesman for Tavistock Rotary said: ?Last year, over 130,000 people across the country had free blood pressure checks, courtesy of Rotary International.
?High blood pressure is a silent killer and the greatest risk factor for having a stroke.?
People with high blood pressure are seven times more likely to suffer from stroke illness ? which affects 100,000 new sufferers every year.
Once high blood pressure has been identified, appropriate treatment can control it and prevent strokes and the possibility of consequent disability. The blood pressure checks, which only take a few minutes, will be available in the Youthwize caravan on Bedford Square between 10am and 2pm this Saturday, April 3.