Ten pharmacies in Drogheda, and many more throughout County Louth, will be teaming up with RTÉ’s Operation Transformation next Thursday, 18 January, to mark National Blood Pressure Day by offering free blood pressure checks.

High blood pressure affects two out of three people over the age of 50, but it is symptomless.  Once detected, high blood pressure is one of the few conditions that can be successfully managed, but only if you know you have it. Following a quick, easy, and non-invasive blood pressure check, your community pharmacist can provide you with a detailed results card and any necessary health advice or referral.

Encouraging people to avail of the service Clare Fitzell, Head of Strategic Policy, at the Irish Pharmacy Union, said “Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious health problem in Ireland, and many people are unaware that they suffer from it.

“Adults should take steps to inform themselves of their blood pressure levels. Those aged over 40 should have an annual check and under 40s should have a check at least every five years.^[1]”

Risks of allowing high blood pressure to go untreated include higher likelihood of developing a number of conditions including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Dementia
• Problems with eyesight or kidneys

“Thankfully, many people who have slightly raised blood pressure can successfully manage this through straightforward lifestyle changes. The key is knowing what your level is and taking appropriate action. However, experience tells us that some people who undergo this week’s tests will be advised to seek further medical attention. This is not something to be feared, as it’s far better to treat high blood pressure before complications arise than after.”

A list of participating pharmacies is available on the Operation Transformation website at: https://ot.rte.ie/events/national-blood-pressure-day/

Participating Pharmacies in Drogheda are

• Allcare Pharmacy – Drogheda, Boyne Shopping Centre, 1st Floor, Bolton St, Drogheda, Co. Louth
• Allcare Pharmacy – Dunleer, 5 Main Street, Co. Louth
• Cottage Pharmacy Drogheda, Unit 1 Sandyford House, Scarlet Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth
• Hickey's Pharmacy, Drogheda West St.,10-11 West Street, Co. Louth
• Peter Street Pharmacy, 9 Peter St, Downtown Drogheda, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 CA43
• Hickey's Pharmacy Wheaton Hall, Wheaton Hall Medical Centre, Wheaton Hall, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 DWX8
• Tullyallen Pharmacy, Main Street, Tullyallen, Co. Louth, A92 FWN2
• Herlihys Pharmacy, Crushrod Ave, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 PC93
• Mahers Totalhealth Chemist,105 West St, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92H720

 Elsewhere in Louth

• Allcare Pharmacy – Blackrock, Main Street, Haggardstown, Co. Louth,  A91 RP3F
• Allcare Pharmacy – Carlingford, Main Street, Co. Louth, A91 KF99
• McCabes Pharmacy, Unit 2 Adelphi Mall, Adelphi Court, The Long Walk, Demesne, Dundalk Co. Louth, A91 XT20
• Ardee Life Pharmacy, Market Street, Townparks   Co. Louth, A92 W352
• Connolly’s Pharmacy, Greenacres Shopping Centre , Avenue Rd, Dundalk  Co. Louth
• Hickey's Pharmacy Dundalk, Unit 1G, Dundalk S.C., Co. Louth
• Smyths Life Pharmacy, Seatown Place, Townparks, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Tipping's Neighbourhood Pharmacy, Unit 2a Dunnes Neighbourhood Centre, Inner Relief Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Leavys Pharmacy,94 Clanbrassil St, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• McCormacks Pharmacy, Lis na Dara Dundalk, Carrick Road, Co. Louth, A91 HTX3
• O'Flynn's Allcare Pharmacy, 9 Castle Street, Co. Louth
• Mark's Pharmacy,27 Market Street, Ardee, Co. Louth