Know your Numbers!

This week marks the start of Know your Numbers! Week, an annual campaign aimed to raise awareness about high blood pressure and the importance of testing.

The theme for Know your Numbers! Week 2023 is ‘Make the time, ease your pressure.’

With everyday pressures of life and difficult jobs that our staff face, maintaining a healthy blood pressure becomes even more imperative. Taking the time to know your numbers will help to stop stroke and heart disease and could save your life. 

Knowing your numbers means you can get support to keep your blood pressure under control. You can start making healthy lifestyle changes or start taking medicines if you need them to bring your blood pressure down to a healthy level. Make the time now to prioritise your health but measuring your blood pressure and undertaking necessary steps if needed.

We are encouraging everyone to make the time and ask that you also  encourage your friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues to measure their blood pressure. You can continue to monitor your blood pressure at home, see here resources provided by Blood Pressure UK.

Looking after your health and wellbeing can be hard when we are all so busy and working in such a reactive service. We therefore want to remind you that we have resources available to help ease some of your pressures. 

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
You, or your immediate family, can contact the EAP who provide a free, confidential helpline and website, to discuss all types of personal issues (financial, parenting, caring and so on). Please contact the  Employee Assistance Programme on 0808 196 2374 (available 24/7)

The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC)
If you are in distress, considering self-harm or are having suicidal thoughts, please contact The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC) immediately on 02477 987922.

Headspace
Headspace is the mindfulness and meditation app and is available for everyone across EEAST to download for free and provides unique tools and resources to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Mind
The mental health charity has a number of resources which you can get access to on the link above. 

Anxiety UK
Advice and support for people living with anxiety. Call the helpline on 03444 775 774.

Blood Pressure UK
Provides information and resources to help lower blood pressures.

 

If you would like any further help and support, please contact the Health & Wellbeing Team at wellbeing@eastamb.nhs.uk.

Published 5th September 2023