Yeovil Town Football Club, Public Health at Somerset Council and NHS Somerset teamed up this weekend to put health in the spotlight at Huish Park – with a full day of free blood pressure checks for supporters, visitors and match-goers.
Dozens of fans took a moment to “Know Their Numbers,” joined by the Mayor of Yeovil, the club’s owner and several Yeovil Town FC players, all stepping forward to get their blood pressure checked and highlight the importance of looking after your health.
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, as it rarely shows symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. A quick, simple test can be lifesaving.
Supporters were able to drop in before kick-off to learn more about their heart health, pick up resources and find out how to borrow a blood pressure monitor for free from any Somerset library or get checked at their GP or local pharmacy.
We were also joined by colleagues from the Public Health SmokeFree Somerset team, who were on hand to promote the free stop-smoking support available across Somerset – helping people take the next step towards a healthier, smokefree future.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, said:
Football brings our community together – so it’s the perfect place to spark conversations about health. We were delighted to see fans, players and local leaders all taking part.
Knowing your numbers is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do for your long-term health. It’s also a great time to quit smoking and our team will always be there to help.
The event forms part of the wider Take the Pressure Off campaign, delivered jointly by Public Health Somerset and NHS Somerset, encouraging people across the county to check their blood pressure regularly and stay well.
