Huge mural unveiled in Openshaw to raise awareness for vital blood pressure checks

A huge mural has been unveiled in Openshaw to raise awareness for vital blood pressure checks.

As part of the pilot health initiative, the 6m high artwork, located on Rushton Grove, encourages people to ‘take heart’ and get themselves booked in for a free blood pressure check.

More than 5.5 million people in England may currently be suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension) without any symptoms and, if left untreated, this can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. In Greater Manchester alone, 69,000 people have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, according to the British Heart Foundation, with many more likely to be undiagnosed.

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To tackle this, Nuffield Health has partnered with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to launch a new community-led blood pressure programme.

Members of the local area, known as ‘Community Champions’, have volunteered to be trained by Nuffield Health physiologists to provide them with the knowledge and skills to undertake blood pressure checks.

Local residents interested in having their blood pressures taken, for free, can visit convenient locations across Openshaw, Beswick and Clayton, including Malawi Heritage UK, Rainbow Haven and St Clement’s Church. These areas have been selected to support areas with the poorest health outcomes.

To raise further awareness of the campaign, the ‘Community Champions’ have been sharing their own personal experiences through real-life stories, which is what has inspired them to get involved with the project.

The mural, created by artist, Oskar, encapsulates those candid stories, and encourages people to get those vital checks.

Vicky