Every Friday in May, residents are offered a free blood pressure test and advice on healthy lifestyle habits. Measurements are also offered during the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö Folkets Park where the Eurovision Village is organized and at the inauguration of the new hospital building in Malmö.
The investment is made to draw attention to the national disease high blood pressure. Early detection of high blood pressure can prevent serious illnesses and contribute to increased health.
The effort goes under the slogan “Check what pressure!” and must contribute to a greater focus on health promotion and preventive measures – to be able to provide care where it is really needed.
-Historically, healthcare has focused on caring for those who have already suffered from illnesses. But by instead working more preventively, we can reduce the risks of our residents becoming seriously ill and offer better health and medical care, says Anders Christensson, professor and head physician for renal medicine who also has the task of coordinating preventive measures for chronic diseases in the Region Skåne.
Anders Christensson believes that a changed approach is required on the part of both employees and residents in order to succeed in the transition.
– It will take time, so we need to start already today. Therefore, the bet is “Check what pressure!” so important, he emphasizes.
Blood pressure measurements and health advice are offered here
- Measurements and health advice are offered at all 84 health centers within Region Skåne’s primary care and at the 47 private health centers within Region Skåne’s healthcare choice that have chosen to participate.
- The offer applies to all Fridays in May from 10.00 a.m. until closing and is specifically aimed at already listed patients at the respective care centre.
- Measurements are offered during the Eurovision Song Contest in Folkets park where the Eurovision Village is organized.
- Measurements are offered during the inauguration of the new hospital building in Malmö, in the entrance at Inga Marie Nilssons gata 47, on 17 and 20–24 May.
- The measurements are taken in the form of self-sampling, i.e. not by healthcare personnel, and therefore do not require record keeping.
That’s why measuring blood pressure is so important
Approximately one third of the adult population in Sweden has high blood pressure. It is the single most important risk factor for serious sequelae such as stroke, heart attack and chronic kidney disease if left untreated.
An elevated blood pressure level is not noticeable, but requires measurement to be detected. Therefore, regular blood pressure measurement, combined with health talks about the impact of lifestyle habits, are important health-promoting initiatives for health care. Considering how common high blood pressure is, and how easy it is to measure, it is considered an effective measure.
Preventive health work is a prerequisite for the transition within Swedish healthcare to be successful. Detecting elevated blood pressure levels and being able to treat them in time helps us avoid serious sequelae that are costly for both the individual and society.
You can find the list of all participating care centers via 1177.se.
Check the pressure! (1177.se)
