Bradford Bulls among local sports clubs offering health screening to fans
The new initiative encourages people to take steps to understand and reduce their risk of developing diabetes or experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
It’s estimated that approximately 300,000 people across the region are unaware that they have high blood pressure. Persistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of several serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, including stroke.
In West Yorkshire by diagnosing and treating high blood pressure over five years we could potentially prevent:
• 238 heart attacks and 227 strokes in men aged 50 years.
• 568 heart attacks and 310 strokes in women aged 50 years.
A healthy lifestyle can offer real health benefits and can help to reduce blood pressure. You can also be prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure if needed.
Fans to be offered health screening at sporting fixtures
To help address this, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has worked with Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Halifax Panthers, Huddersfield Giants Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) on a campaign that aims to increase the awareness of the risk factors for health conditions including diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Behind it are several local and national organisations including Diabetes UK, Stroke Association, Pumping Marvellous and Get Set Goal at the University of Huddersfield.
As part of the campaign, fans will be offered health screens, including blood pressure and pulse checks, at several fixtures over the coming season. They’ll also be given information about how to check their risk of diabetes.
