In an important step to improve community health across the county, NHS Somerset and Somerset Council have partnered with Yeovil Town Football Club as part of their ‘Take the Pressure Off’ campaign, raising awareness of the importance of testing your blood pressure.

They attended the match between Yeovil Town FC and Welling United at Huish Park Stadium on Saturday (9th) to host free community blood pressure checks to more than 3,200 fans that attended the match, and some of Yeovil Town’s management team including Club Owner and Chairman, Martin Hellier.

Over half of all strokes and heart attacks in Somerset are caused by high blood pressure. Many people will have no symptoms of the condition, often termed the ‘silent killer’, but it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems if left unchecked.

The “Take the Pressure Off” campaign is designed to encourage residents, particularly those aged 40+, to regularly check their blood pressure and take necessary steps towards managing their health.

Keith Weston, Head of Stadium Operations at Yeovil Town Football Club, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, said: "It’s great to have partnered with NHS Somerset and Somerset Council to highlight the importance of knowing your blood pressure. Football has the power to bring people together, and we are proud to play our role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our community.

"Ensuring our fans are not only cheering for their favourite team but also taking steps to check their health is a win-win situation. They will be returning at a later date to test the blood pressure of our players and support staff too."

Dr. Solomon Lebese, Cardiovascular Clinical Champion at NHS Somerset, highlighted the silent nature of high blood pressure and its risks: "High blood pressure often has no symptoms, making it a hidden danger that can have serious consequences if undetected. Getting out into the community and raising awareness is crucial.

"Events like these enable us to reach people who might not otherwise check their blood pressure, helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes before they happen."

For further details on the "Take the Pressure Off" campaign and how to get involved, please visit bit.ly/blood-pressure-somerset.