Keeping your heart healthy

The events, part of the British Heart Foundation's Heart Month campaign, aim to educate residents about vital lifesaving skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and how to recognise the signs and symptoms of heart disease.   

In partnership with H4All and MyHealth Hillingdon, the council will be holding free workshops for residents who may be worried about their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and recognise that taking preventative action will reduce their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. These will be led by NHS staff, with a reflexology taster session being led by Kelly Henry from The Holistic Reflexologist.  

Eligible residents over 18 years old, library members and Hillingdon GP registered patients can borrow a blood pressure monitoring kit for two weeks to record daily blood pressure levels at home. The loan scheme is available at Harefield, Hayes End, West Drayton, Uxbridge, Botwell Green and Ruislip Manor libraries. These libraries also have static onsite monitors for instant checks and results. 

The home monitor loan scheme, delivered in partnership with NHS North West London and the Confederation Hillingdon CIC, was accessed by 77 people last year, and the standalone monitors were used more than 10,000 times.   

Checking your blood pressure is important, as often people with high blood pressure do not experience symptoms, but this can lead to more serious health problems like cardiovascular disease or stroke.   

Cllr Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol is vital to help keep your heart healthy. 

"The support and advice we're providing for Heart Month is aimed at helping residents make healthy lifestyle changes and get the required medical advice before serious health impacts.   

"This is a great example of partnership working to help residents live healthier lives."  

For a full list of Heart Month events, visit discover.hillingdon.gov.uk/heart-month.  

For more information about the blood pressure monitor loan scheme and to check your eligibility, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/blood-pressure-kits.