Metro bus drivers will undergo blood pressure checks in support of a national campaign
Tasmania Metro bus drivers will undergo blood pressure checks this week in support of the National Stroke Foundation’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check.
The foundation will be providing simple, free and fast blood pressure checks this week as high blood pressure is the most modifiable rick factor for stroke.
Metro will help start kick start the initiative by having bus drivers undergo blood pressure checks at the Springfield Bus Depot.
Metro is supporting the National Stroke Foundation’s Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check on by promoting it on buses, circulating messages via Metro’s website and twitter and mentioning it on our regular morning traffic spot on ABC morning radio.
Chief Executive Officer Heather Haselgrove says the organisation is pleased to support the event as it dovetailed with its own programs to help improve the health and fitness of employees.
She says the organisation take the health of employees very seriously.
“The Metro workforce is obviously in an occupation that is reasonable stressful and sedentary because drivers are confined to their seats most of their shifts.”
Any Metro employee found to be at risk will be referred to their doctor for advice on how to lower their risk and to stay healthy.
The National Stroke Foundation Tasmanian Executive Officer Connie Digolis says high blood pressure is the highest and most modifiable risk factor for stroke.
“By checking blood pressure and completing a simple questionnaire pharmacists and health professionals will be able to help identify people that might have high blood pressure and may be at risk of stroke and related conditions,” she says.