A MIDCOUNTIES Co-operative pharmacist has used his expertise to support his local community by offering free advice on blood pressure. Davinder Singh, a pharmacist at The Co-operative Pharmacy in Raynor Road, Wolverhampton, visited his local Sikh Temple in Willenhall to offer free blood pressure testing and general medication and lifestyle advice.
Over forty people attended each open session at Guru Nanak Sikh Temple,
held on the first three Monday mornings in March.
Davinder is now hoping this will become a regular initiative which will also include free diabetes testing as well.
He said: “One in three adults in the UK have high blood pressure; the major cause of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. However a third of people don’t even know they have it, so it is vital that people have their blood pressure regularly checked.
“Many of those who attended the free sessions are elderly or find it difficult to get to regular check ups at their doctors, so they were delighted with the health advice service we brought to them. As a Co-operative pharmacy we are part of the local community. I am an active member in my community and approached my bosses, who gave me full support for to develop this initiative.”
Sue Massey, head of communications at UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: “High blood pressure can affect anyone but if you are of South Asian descent you at greater risk of developing heart disease and diabetes so it’s even more important to keep your blood pressure healthy.
“The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. We are delighted that Davinder has given his local community the opportunity to have a free and convenient blood pressure check, which is the first step to preventing and treating high blood pressure.”
He said: “One in three adults in the UK have high blood pressure; the major cause of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. However a third of people don’t even know they have it, so it is vital that people have their blood pressure regularly checked.
“Many of those who attended the free sessions are elderly or find it difficult to get to regular check ups at their doctors, so they were delighted with the health advice service we brought to them. As a Co-operative pharmacy we are part of the local community. I am an active member in my community and approached my bosses, who gave me full support for to develop this initiative.”
Sue Massey, head of communications at UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: “High blood pressure can affect anyone but if you are of South Asian descent you at greater risk of developing heart disease and diabetes so it’s even more important to keep your blood pressure healthy.
“The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. We are delighted that Davinder has given his local community the opportunity to have a free and convenient blood pressure check, which is the first step to preventing and treating high blood pressure.”
