Over 100,000 people in Britain & Ireland will have a first stroke every year. Of these, nearly 200 people a day will die - only cancer and heart disease kills more. Stroke is the single largest cause of severe disability and over 300,000 people are living in these islands with disability due to stroke at any one time.

High blood pressure is the largest single preventable cause of stroke. It is estimated that 4 out of 10 deaths due to stroke could have been prevented if high blood pressure had been diagnosed and properly controlled.

On Saturday 24th April, Rotary Club of Castlebar, in conjunction with the Cardiology Dept of Mayo General Hospital, will be providing free Blood Pressure checks in Dunne’s Stores Car Park. A specially kitted out mobile unit will be in place from 10 am to 6 p.m. All members of the public are invited to avail of this opportunity to have their blood pressure checked. In addition, information leaflets will be distributed giving full information on what blood pressure is all about.

So why not do yourself a favour and have your blood pressure checked free of charge and learn more about this very controllable condition.

Castlebar Rotary Club

Mayo General Hospital