Blood Pressure, Come on Nova Scotia ... Check it!, Op-ed

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece from Neala Gill, manager, Cardiovascular Health Nova Scotia, Peggy Dunbar, manager, Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia, and Susan MacNeil, manager, Nova Scotia Renal Program.

Only half of adults with high blood pressure know they have it.

Whether people have normal or high blood pressure, it is important they know the higher their numbers, the higher the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. If high blood pressure is detected early, and treated, it can decrease risks.

The first step is simple; blood pressure should be checked regularly. People should keep a record of their numbers, and remember them as they do their height and weight. They should ask their health-care provider what their pressure number should be. In other words, they should know their blood pressure and encourage family and friends to do the same.

World Hypertension Day was May 17, but maintaining a healthy blood pressure is important year-round. Countries around the world have been challenged to support blood pressure screening clinics and track the number of people that have their blood pressure checked.

In Nova Scotia, each May employers are encouraged to provide blood pressure screening events as part of the Come on Nova Scotia ... Check it! challenge. These events encourage employees to have their blood pressure checked and learn more about blood pressure through the provincial My Blood Pressure wallet card, pamphlet and posters. Challenge kits provide instructions on how to hold a workplace challenge and include tools and educational materials.

More than 3,000 people had their blood pressures checked during last May's challenge.

The goal is to increase that total this year. To learn more about blood pressure, and how to use the My Blood Pressure card tools, visit www.gov.ns.ca/bloodpressure .