CARDIFF residents are invited to attend a series of free blood pressure awareness sessions this September, hosted at community hubs in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University and British Heart Foundation Cymru.
These drop-in events offer a chance to have your blood pressure checked by a trained individual, while learning more about the vital role blood pressure plays in maintaining a healthy heart.
British Heart Foundation Cymru will also be on hand to chat with customers, share useful resources and promote their upcoming report on high blood pressure in Wales.
As part of Cardiff Council’s ongoing commitment to improving public health and to help reduce health inequalities across the city, visitors will also have the chance to find out about Hubs and Libraries’ Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Scheme , which allows residents to borrow a monitor from their local hub to measure and track their readings at home.
Launched last year, this initiative aims to help people identify and manage high blood pressure early before it leads to more serious health issues.
The free sessions, aimed at individuals aged 18 and over, will be held on:
- Monday, September 15 – Central Library Hub, 11am–1pm
- Wednesday, September 17 – Llandaff North and Gabalfa Hub, 10.30am–12.30pm
No booking is required.
Cabinet Member for Public Health & Equality, Cllr Julie Sangani, said: “High blood pressure often goes unnoticed, yet it’s one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease.
“These sessions in our hubs are a fantastic opportunity for residents to get a free check, speak to experts, and learn how to take control of their heart health.
“I’m proud that the Council is working with Cardiff Met and British Heart Foundation Cymru to make this support accessible, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of our blood pressure monitor loan scheme to continue monitoring their health at home.”
Bethan Edwards, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for British Heart Foundation Cymru said: “High blood pressure can be known as a silent killer; it rarely has any symptoms but in fact causes around 50% of heart attacks and strokes in Wales.
“As we launch our policy report on high blood pressure, we are urging people to “know their numbers” by attending free community blood pressure checks, using blood pressure loaning schemes where possible, and using resources like the BHF website to understand the meaning of their numbers.”
