FREE blood pressure and heart rate checks will be offered in St Helier next week as part of a series of events to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart failure.
Marking Heart Failure Awareness Week, Jersey’s cardiology team will be hosting a pop-up at the General Hospital’s Outpatients Department on Wednesday 29 April between 10am and 2pm, followed by the Jersey Central Market on Friday 1 May between 10pm and 2pm.
According to the team, around 2,000 people are affected by heart failure in Jersey and early detection is crucial for those with the condition live longer, require less medication and enjoy better quality of life.
179 Islanders attended the pop-up events for the awareness week last year, in which the team sought to teach Islanders how to identify symptoms and reduce risk.
Key signs of heart failure include fighting for breath, feeling fatigued, and swollen legs.
Lifestyle factors that increase risk include sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol, poor blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol – but these risks can be reduced by being active, healthy eating, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol consumption.
