By Ebba Ritzen
Charity Keighley Healthy Living (KHL) has received a £10,000 grant from Heart Research UK, for their new project aiming to prevent escalation of high blood pressure and related illnesses in the community. The grant is part of Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Grants, awarded across the UK to local groups starting up new projects to improve the heart health of their community.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can increase the risk of some serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and dementia. It’s estimated that almost one third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, with many being unaware of it.
KHL’s new project, Blood Pressure Connect, will support 60 people with high blood pressure to make lifestyle changes. The aim is to equip people with the knowledge they need about high blood pressure and health conditions it could lead to. This should allow people to better selfcare and control their condition through lifestyle and behaviour changes. KHL is hoping this will decrease the amount of healthcare intervention needed in patients with hypertension.
The ambition is echoed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which has advised that a reduction in lifestyle related high blood pressure and better blood pressure management is a strategic health priority.
Participants in the project will receive a blood pressure monitor, health coaching and active signposting to community-based healthcare and support around diet, physical activity and mental health. A cooking course will be developed aimed at Keighley’s BAME community and an exercise coordinator will deliver classes to people unlikely to be accessing gyms.
Richard Taylor is getting his blood pressure checked by Natalie Edge from KHL
Kerry Page, the project lead, said:
“Keighley Healthy Living always aims to tackle health inequalities and the entire Bradford district has a higher than national average mortality rate of under 75’s from cardiovascular diseases that are often preventable.
“We know first-hand the importance of providing regular contacts and letting people be heard in order to build trust and motivation in people who may be marginalised or have barriers to accessing support.
“We’re very grateful for the support from Heart Research UK which will enable us to deliver this pilot, and hopefully reduce the impact of high blood pressure and the conditions it could lead to on the community.”
Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK, said:
“Cardiovascular disease is still one of the UK’s single biggest killers, with a premature death every 40 minutes in Yorkshire.
“We’re therefore pleased to award this grant to Keighley Healthy Living’s new project, which will provide accessible health information for people with hypertension and allow them to better manage their condition.”
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