AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 2015-10-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — New World and PAK’nSAVE stores across the country are partnering with the Stroke Foundation in an attempt to conduct the biggest ever simultaneous health check.
Identifying people with high blood pressure (BP) is the aim of the Big New Zealand Blood Pressure Check which takes place on Saturday 3 October from 10am to 2pm.
Across the country at selected New World and PAK’nSAVE stores it’s expected 20,000 Kiwis will have their BP checked, which if identified as high and then treated, could prevent them having a stoke in the future. Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Mark Vivian says that every year they have helped to alert thousands of New Zealanders to the possibility that they might have high blood pressure.
“If everyone in the country had healthy blood pressure we could drastically reduce the number of strokes that happen every year – currently around 9,000 people, or one every hour. If people get the message about this simple health check, it could make a massive difference to their lives.”
Steve Anderson Managing Director, Foodstuffs New Zealand says: “High blood pressure is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’. Many people don’t know they have it. As a Kiwi company, we’re proud to support the Stroke Foundation in this extremely important and effective community health initiative.”
It’s expected 20,000 kiwis will turn up this year, breaking the previous record of 18,000 last year.
WHAT: The Big NZ Blood Pressure Check
WHEN: Saturday 3 October, 10 am to 2pm
WHERE: New World’s and PAK’nSAVE’s and a range of other locations throughout the country. For the full list of locations visit www.strokewise.org.nz/bloodpressure
SOURCE: FOODSTUFFS NEW ZEALAND