Crouch & Portsmouth Apply Positive Pressure In Support Of Major Health Initiative

Sept. 3, 2008 - PRLog -- FA Cup winners Portsmouth have put their weight behind a campaign to get people to pay greater attention to the dangers of high blood pressure.

Pompey and England striker Peter Crouch and fellow players John Utaka and Glen Johnson joined forces with Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust to launch “Know Your Numbers®” Week, which raises awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure and runs from September 8th – 14th. The event is part of the nation's biggest annual blood pressure testing and awareness event run by charity the Blood Pressure Association. One in three adults in the UK suffers from high blood pressure, which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

The involvement of Crouch and the club is all part of the club’s recently launched Respect Pompey agenda which, in conjunction with Portsmouth City Council and the club’s sponsor OKI Printing Solutions, promotes positive behaviour in health, education, personal well-being, citizenship, relationships and environment.

The PCT has set up special ‘Pressure Stations’ across the City to offer free blood pressure testing and information. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries. The numbers show how hard your blood is pushing against the sides of your blood vessels (arteries) as it travels round your body. When it is measured you may be told that it is "120 over 80". The “120” number is the systolic pressure, when you heart pushes blood around your body. The “80” number is the diastolic pressure, when your heart relaxes. However, readings that are consistently at or above “140 over 90” could spell trouble and will need to be regularly monitored and treated by lifestyle changes and/or medication. Blood pressure checks are quick, free, and painless.

For further information, visit www.sortitportsmouth.com

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Media Information:

Howard Robinson or Joe Palmer
edp sports marketing
T: 0207 754 5560
E:  howard@edpsportsmarketing.com or joe@edpsportsmarketing.com

Vicky Griffin
Communications Officer, Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust
T:  023 9283 5129
M:  078 2482 0667
E:   vicky.griffin@ports.nhs.uk