Health kiosk helps to identify health issues

A digital health kiosk is currently touring Knowsley and has now arrived at Volair Halewood, where it will stay until January.

It takes just 10 minutes for a mini health check which includes checking your blood pressure, heart rate, and measures your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI), as well as giving you an indication of your general health.

Prior to being in Halewood, the kiosk was located at Volair Kirkby where it proved to be popular.

More than 1,200 mini health checks were undertaken which ranged from BMI, body fat, perceived stress score and blood pressure which was the most popular mini health check to take.

Of the 734 participants who opted to have a blood pressure check, 114 were identified as having a high blood pressure reading of 140/90 or more and were subsequently advised to check their blood pressure again in a week’s time.

Those with a very high reading 160/100 were advised to have their blood pressure checked as soon as possible at their local pharmacy or GP practice.

High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms and if left untreated can put you at risk of developing a serious health problem such as a heart attack or stroke.  Therefore the only way to know is to have it checked.

The health kiosk is helping to identify any issues at an early stage so that further advice can then be sought from a GP, Pharmacist or other health professional. The kiosk also estimates a person’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.

No booking is required and results are available immediately and are also emailed to you.

The health kiosk is provided by Knowsley Council in partnership with Volair Leisure and SISU Health UK.

Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Health said:

To find out more about how you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks or strokes visit the Happy Hearts website. To find out more about health and wellbeing visit www.healthyknowsley.co.uk.