Everyone who visited the campaign bus could have their blood pressure and cholesterol levels measured free of charge and check their heart age using an innovative application. It turns out that the heart age of 66% of those examined is, on average, as much as 19 years higher than their chronological age!
On 20 and 21 July, Lubin residents had the opportunity to check whether they were also affected by hypertension. Qualified medical staff awaited everyone interested at the specially adapted mobile research center of the “Pressure for Life” campaign, conducting examinations and providing professional advice on preventing circulatory system diseases.
In addition, patients with abnormal results were invited to a medical consultation, which is intended to mark the beginning of work on improving their health. In healthy people, the correct blood pressure value should be between 120/80 and 139/89 millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg), while total blood cholesterol should not exceed 190 mg/dl.
Thanks to a specially prepared application1, residents could also check how old their hearts were. It turned out that the heart age of the Lubin residents examined was, on average, 19 years higher than their chronological age.
– An important factor determining effective prevention and good control of hypertension in the population remains knowledge of the risks associated with the disease, while a fundamental element is knowing one’s own blood pressure. Early identification of elevated blood pressure makes it possible to modify one’s lifestyle, which may delay or prevent the onset of hypertension and enable pharmacotherapy to be delayed or even avoided – says Prof. Tomasz Zdrojewski from the Department of Hypertension and Diabetology at Gdańsk Medical University, a member of the Expert Council of the “Pressure for Life” campaign.
Fortunately, heart age can be lowered – regular preventive examinations and a healthy, active lifestyle are the most effective ways to combat circulatory system diseases. In an effort to popularize and reinforce this trend among the population, Heart Age Reduction Centers are being established as part of the “Pressure for Life” campaign. There, people will be able to receive advice on improving their heart health and obtain informational materials prepared by the campaign’s experts. In addition, anyone who consults the doctors at a Heart Age Reduction Center may enter the “Youngest Heart” competition. All they need to do is submit the competition coupon available on the “Pressure for Life” bus, completed with stamps from a doctor confirming regular check-ups, and answer the question, “How do I try to lower my heart age?” Attractive prizes await competition participants.
More information about the “Pressure for Life” campaign is available at www.cisnienienazycie.pl.
Information about the nationwide “Pressure for Life” Social Campaign
The campaign aims to make Poles aware of the risks posed by the lack of preventive care for circulatory system diseases. According to 300,000 examinations conducted as part of the campaign, Poles’ heart age is much higher than their chronological age. Therefore, this year the campaign’s activities will promote measures that help lower heart age. The campaign’s substantive work is supported by an Expert Council consisting of: Prof. Krzysztof Narkiewicz, Prof. Stefan Grajek and Prof. Tomasz Zdrojewski. The sponsor of the “Pressure for Life” campaign is Polfa Warszawa, Polpharma Group.
www.cisnienienazycie.pl
1 The application was developed based on the results of Impact of atrial fibrillation on the risk of death: The Framingham Heart Study and a publication by R. D’Agostino et al. Circulation, as well as research conducted by the team of Prof. T. Zdrojewski from Gdańsk Medical University. The study calculated heart age for people aged 20 to 74 who had not previously suffered a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, reliable results will be obtained in this age group.