A third of participants in a stroke-screening campaign were found to have high blood pressure
Pharmacy-based health checks, conducted as part of a recent month-long stroke-screening campaign, have uncovered high blood pressure in about 20,000 Australians.
The Stroke Foundation teamed up with Priceline pharmacies to deliver 63,211 opportunistic health checks over a four-week period to mid-June. Â
The foundation’s chief executive, Sharon McGowan, said the results came as a wake-up call to many people, as high- blood pressure often had no obvious symptoms.Â
“Disturbingly, one in three [stroke-screening] participants was found to have high blood pressure, which is a key risk factor for stroke,” she said in a letter today to media outlets.
“Those found to have high blood pressure and an increased stroke risk were referred on to their doctor for advice on lowering their blood pressure, reducing their risk of stroke and improving their overall health,” Ms McGowan said.Â
The foundation is calling for public pressure to establish a national action plan for stroke prevention and treatment.
 “Stroke kills more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer, and leaves thousands with an ongoing disability,” Ms McGowan said in her letter.Â
“Together we can also take the battle to a higher level by demanding our state and federal politicians commit to a funded national action plan to address the prevention and treatment of stroke.”
During the campaign, free checks were conducted at 280 Priceline pharmacy locations, and some shopping centres, to identify risk of stroke and raise awareness of prevention measures.Â
The foundation said 38% of men and 26% of women had recorded high blood pressure.
