Ahead of the Blood Pressure Association's Know Your Numbers! Week next week, Darlington players John McReady and Jamie Chandler popped into the town's new Asda pharmacy to get their blood pressure tested and promote the campaign for the local community to keep a watchful eye on their pressure levels.
As well as being a brand new service for the area, Asda Darlington's pharmacy will also be one of the Blood Pressure Association's 1,400 official 'Pressure Stations' in place all over the country during Know Your Numbers! Week (September 13-19).
Young midfielder McReady said: "It's great that Asda has added this new and invaluable service to its Darlington store. We all know that fitness is not just about what you look like and that keeping healthy on the inside is just as important.
"Being aware of your blood pressure and what steps you can take to keep it at a healthy level is vital. Know Your Numbers! is a great campaign and we're encouraging as many people as possible to make the most of the service."
Research from the Blood Pressure Association has revealed that almost three quarters of adults do not know their blood pressure numbers. As a result they are taking an unnecessary gamble with their health, as uncontrolled high blood pressure causes stroke and heart attacks.
Mike Rich, Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: "We're delighted that Asda Darlington is taking free blood pressure testing to the UK public as part of this year's Know Your Numbers! Week and its commitment to the public of Darlington."
Speaking ahead of the opening, Richard Frank, People Service Manager at Asda Darlington, said: "The arrival of the pharmacy is wonderful news for Darlington, and working together with the Blood Pressure Association is a great example of the value this service will bring to the local community."
The new pharmacy will be open from 8am-10pm Monday, 7am-11pm Tuesday-Friday, 7am-10pm Saturday, and 10am-4pm on a Sunday. With its late-night opening, it will be ideal for those customers with busy schedules or for any late night emergency.
For further information about Asda Darlington's new pharmacy department, please visit www.asda.co.uk
To find out more information about the Blood Pressure Association campaign go to www.bpasssoc.org.uk/kyn or call 020 8772 4994.
