Australians are being urged to take 10 minutes out of their day for a potentially life-saving blood pressure check.
The month-long campaign, Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check, encourages people of all ages to get a health check at their GP or pharmacy to determine if they have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
As part of the global May Measurement Month initiative, Stroke Foundation and the National Hypertension Taskforce have joined forces to tackle the issue that affects one in three Australians. High blood pressure is also the leading preventable cause of death in Australia, contributing to over 25,000 deaths annually.
For school principal Shane Elliott, blood pressure was something he never took seriously.
The 47-year-old had been living with the condition for two decades but admits he was slack with his medication. Then one day in 2014, Shane collapsed at work.
Shane spent eight weeks in hospital after his stroke. He had to learn how to walk, open a bottle, and tie his shoelaces again. He was able to begin a gradual return to work eight months later.
Today, Shane always takes his medication and wants everybody to know just how important regular health check-ups can be.
"I did not know there was a link between high blood pressure and stroke, or that having high blood pressure could significantly increase my risk of stroke. That lack of awareness changed my life forever," Shane said.
"Get your blood pressure checked. It takes minutes, it costs nothing, and it could save your life."
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy said high blood pressure was known as a 'silent killer' because it typically causes no obvious symptoms until a major health event occurs, often without warning.
"Around seven million Australians have high blood pressure. Nearly half don't know it, and only 32 per cent have it under control," Dr Murphy said.
"High blood pressure is the single biggest preventable risk factor for stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and dementia.
"The good news is that high blood pressure can be managed through adopting healthier lifestyle changes or medication, but the only way to do this is through regular blood pressure checks, which is why we are calling on all Australians to get their blood pressure checked during the month of May."
Stroke Foundation is a co-founding member of the National Hypertension Taskforce, assembled to tackle the leading risk factor of death in Australia - high blood pressure. The Taskforce aims to increase the number of Australians with their blood pressure both treated and controlled effectively from 32 per cent to 70 per cent by 2030.
Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check is supported by the following major sponsors:
