Health Secretary has blood pressure tested by ambulance staff to raise awareness of deadly condition

22 December 2011

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley was among 35 MPs who had their blood pressure tested to promote awareness of stroke - the UK’s third biggest killer.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust clinical staff tested more than 200 people at the House of Commons event for high blood pressure, the main factor in causing a stroke.

Clinical Advice and NHS Pathways Development Manager, David Davis, along with Duty Dispatch Manager Louise Lambert, and Matthew England, Clinical Quality Manager, used their free time to support the event held by the Stroke Association and supported by the College of Paramedics.

Patient confidentiality prevents us from disclosing the results of Andrew Lansley’s blood pressure, however David said: “The event draws on SECAmb’s strong clinical focus and shows how the Trust is committed to supporting a wider agenda.”

Stroke is a devastating condition where a blood clot, ruptured artery or blood vessel interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain causing about 50,000 deaths in the UK each year. It is the single largest cause of disability in England and costs the NHS an estimated £2.8billion per year.

There are around a million people in the UK living with the after effects of a stroke.

Facing this challenge head on, SECAmb was the first ambulance service to appoint a paramedic stroke lead and it has spearheaded a life-saving stroke development programme across Sussex, Surrey and Kent which the Stroke Association has praised as a ‘beacon’ of good practice.

Matthew England said: “High blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke, along with poor diet. I would urge people to take advantage of any blood pressure monitoring that is available in your area, or get it tested by your GP.”

On average only 20 per cent of men and 30 per cent of women with high blood pressure know they have it. By checking for high blood pressure we can identify those most at risk and potentially prevent a stroke from occurring.

Since the launch of SECAmb’s campaign to offer free checks, thousands of people have been tested, sometimes with alarming results. On average we have referred a quarter of those tested to their GP due to raised blood pressure, and taken two per cent of people straight to hospital with a dangerously high BP.

To highlight the need to spot warning signs of someone suffering a stroke, six SECAmb ambulances are wrapped in ‘FAST’ stroke posters and placed in areas where the risk of a stroke is higher.

FAST is a national campaign launched in 2005 focusing on stroke symptoms: Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms? Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Time to call 999. By seeking medical attention quickly, the long-term outcome for a stroke victim is greatly improved.

For helpful advice and information visit the Stroke Association website: www.stroke.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke
Of the 150,000 people each year who have a stroke 50,000 will die
Stroke is the third biggest killer and the single greatest cause of disability in the UK
Immediate and long-term care for patients who have had a stroke costs the NHS £2.8bn each year
High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for experiencing a stroke