Wednesday 9th June 2010
West Dunbartonshire Council's Leisure Services has launched an awareness campaign on the importance of checking your pulse and blood pressure, in conjunction with the heart rhythm charity Arrhythmia Alliance and S.T.A.R.S. (Syncope Trust and Anoxic Reflex Seizures).
The campaign visited the Meadow Centre in Dumbarton from Monday 7 June until Wednesday 9 June, and will target the Vale of Leven Swimming Pool in Alexandria on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June between 9am and 4pm.
Council Leader and COSLA Health and Wellbeing spokesperson, Councillor Ronnie McColl, said: “The main aim of the campaign is to educate people in the importance of checking their pulse and blood pressure and to raise awareness of associated health conditions and how to manage them.
“Checking your pulse is as important as seeing how much you weigh or checking your blood pressure. 'Knowing Your Pulse' is one of the easiest ways to detect a cardiac arrhythmia. A cardiac arrhythmia is caused by a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or irregular.”
Many people are unaware that pulse checks are an effective method of detecting heart problems early, and in turn improve the chances of swift diagnosis and treatment. Many more are unsure of how to check their pulse correctly, and when pulse rates may need further investigation. The 'Know Your Pulse' campaign aims to address the number of cardiac arrhythmias that lie undetected.
