Random tests: 38% have high BP

When men from London's Caribbean community were given free blood pressure tests at the week-end, 38% of them had high blood pressure.

Over 250 men and women from the Caribbean community were given the opportunity to have a free blood pressure test to launch the 'Check Your Blood Pressure' Campaign (funded by the Guy's and St Thomas' charity) at the Jamaica National Fun Day in Battersea Park, London on 6 August.

Of the 113 men tested, 43 had higher than normal blood pressure, around 38%. The programme, is running as part of the Modernisation Initiative's three year programme to significantly improve health care in Lambeth and Southwark and focuses on three key areas: kidney disease, sexual health and stroke services.

The aim of this high profile campaign is to raise awareness of High Blood Pressure amongst Caribbean, West African and Caucasian men living in Lambeth and Southwark and address the lack of awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure particularly to this sector of the community. The campaign reinforces the fact that tests are free and simple by using well known DJs Daddy Ernie and Abrantee of Choice FM to front the campaign to reach the Caribbean and West African men in Lambeth and Southwark respectively.

The organisers says that the 'Check Your Blood Pressure' campaign reflects the results of initial research and a subsequent MORI qualitative survey, which shows that an effective awareness campaign is necessary if any behaviour is to change amongst men and their attitude to having the blood pressure checked.