Two people were advised to make urgent appointments with their GP during a stroke awareness campaign in Bournemouth.

Nearly 30 people took advantage of the blood pressure checks at the Vision Express store in Commercial Road, with eight told to see their GP.

Two were advised to visit their GP within a week due to high blood pressure readings.

The free one-day clinic was held in partnership with the Stroke Association to raise awareness of strokes and the impact they can have on vision.

There are almost 20,000 stroke survivors in the Bournemouth NHS catchment - 2.39% of the local population.

Up to 60% of people will experience visual problems following a stroke, yet one in three are unaware that sight loss could be a problem or that treatment and support is available.

During the event, experts from the Stroke Association told residents about the warning signs of stroke, and how simple lifestyle changes can reduce blood pressure to a normal level.

Poole resident June Hepworth was among the visitors.

She said: “My blood pressure has always been fine, but it was slightly high today.

“My friends and I are all over 65, so we’re at the age where thinking about preventing stroke is really important. Coming into Vision Express today and realising my blood pressure is up has really given me the boost I needed to get fit.”

Dr Dale Webb, Director of Research and Information at the Stroke Association, said: “We all value our sight; it’s the sense most people fear losing more than any other. Improved vision care for stroke survivors would help patients to regain mobility and independence, return to the workplace and make their best recovery possible following a stroke.”

Danis Otto, store manager at Vision Express Bournemouth, said: “Early symptoms associated with stroke can include loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes, and many people don’t realise the breadth of health conditions we can identify through an eye test.

Facts 

  • There are around 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK
  • By the age of 75, one in five women and one in six men will have a stroke
  • Stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer and more men than prostate and testicular cancer combined a year
  • High blood pressure is a contributing factor to 54% of strokes
  • It is estimated there could be up to 6.8 million people in the UK with undiagnosed high blood pressure

For more information on the Know Your Blood pressure events visit visionexpress.com/know-your-blood-pressure/