Banbury, Bicester and Chipping Norton area residents can get their blood pressure checked at their town’s library in a special ‘pressure station’ initiative this week.

Oxfordshire’s libraries are the venue for the checks which can be done from today (Monday) until September 13. It is part of Blood Pressure UK’s annual Know Your Numbers Week.

People with undiagnosed and uncontrolled high blood pressure are more at risk from serious health issues such as stroke and heart attack.

Pressure stations will be available to anybody to use, whether they have been asked to do so by a doctor, or are simply curious.

L - r: Alet Ransom, Cardiovascular Disease Champion, Ansaf Azhar, OCC Director of Public Health and Simon Lay, Libraries Operations Manager

placeholder image — L - r: Alet Ransom, Cardiovascular Disease Champion, Ansaf Azhar, OCC Director of Public Health and Simon Lay, Libraries Operations Manager

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC) Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so the only way to know if your reading is high is to have it checked to lower your risk of serious health issues.

“Our libraries are trusted, welcoming spaces at the heart of communities across Oxfordshire, so they are a natural place to host these free pressure stations.

"This is a completely free and easy way to check your blood pressure; just drop into one of our libraries during the week where teams will be on hand to help. It takes just a couple of minutes but could change your life.”

The initiative was coordinated by Alet Ransom, Primary Care Network Pharmacy Technician and Cardiovascular Disease Champion, who worked alongside OCC public health team and library service to develop the pressure stations and make it easier for people to check their blood pressure in familiar community settings.

She said: “The aim was always to make it easier for people, whether library users or visitors to the area, to ‘know their numbers’ and, where needed, take the next step towards looking after their cardiovascular health.

“I’m excited that it will give many more people the opportunity to access this simple but potentially life-changing service.”

Anyone found to have a high reading will be offered advice on simple steps they can take and encouraged to seek further support from their GP or local pharmacy if needed.

Residents can find their nearest library and check opening times on OCC’s website.

Find out more about the Know Your Numbers Week campaign by visiting Blood Pressure UK’s website.