This Thursday, January 18, The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU ) is teaming up with RTÉ's Operation Transformation to support National Blood Pressure Day 2024. The partnership will see over 28 pharmacies participating in Galway, offering once-off free blood pressure checks.
High blood pressure affects two out of three over 50s, but it is symptomless. Once detected, high blood pressure is one of the few conditions that can be successfully managed, but only if you know you have it. Following a quick, easy, and non-invasive blood pressure check, your community pharmacist can provide you with a detailed results card and any necessary health advice of referral.
Participating pharmacies in Galway are as follows;
McSharry's Pharmacy Claregalway; Flanagan's Totalhealth Pharmacy Headford; Healy's Pharmacy Ballinasloe; Killian's CarePlus Pharmacy Loughrea; Pinegrove Pharmacy Mountbellew; Ballygar Pharmacy; Hayes & Hayes Totalhealth Pharmacy Portumna; Lavelle's Pharmacy Queensgate; University Late Night Pharmacy Newcastle Road; O'Flaherty's Pharmacy Athenry; Duddy's Pharmacy Portumna; E&B Pharmacy Eyrecourt; Walsh's Pharmacy Loughrea; Moran's Totalhealth Pharmacy Clifden; Kinvara Pharmacy; Walsh's Pharmacy Eyre Street; Cleary's Pharmacy Galway city; Walsh's Pharmacy Spiddal; Walsh's Pharmacy Spiddal Medical Centre; Gilmartin's Pharmacy Gort; Salthill Pharmacy; O'Connor's Moycullen Allcare Pharmacy; Molloy's Pharmacy Knocknacarra; Walsh's Pharmacy Oranmore; Oranmore Pharmacy; Clarinbridge Pharmacy; Logan's Pharmacy Prospect Hill; Headford Careplus Pharmacy.
Encouraging people to avail of the service Clare Fitzell, Head of Strategic Policy at the IPU, said; "Hypertension, of high blood pressure, is a serious health problem in Ireland, and many people are unaware that they suffer from it. Adults should take steps to inform themselves of their blood pressure levels. Those aged over 40 should have an annual check and under-40s should have a check at least every five years."
Risks of allowing high blood pressure to go untreated include higher likelihood of developing a number of conditions including, heart disease, stroke, dementia or problems with eyesight or kidneys. Fitzell says; "Thankfully many people who have slightly raised blood pressure can successfully manage this through straightforward lifestyle changes. The key is knowing what your level is and taking appropriate action."
