A BLOOD pressure monitor loan scheme launched in Devon’s libraries, including Newton Abbot, has recorded more than 850 loans in its first year, as residents are urged to ‘know their numbers’ during a national awareness campaign.

The scheme, launched a year ago as part of the One Devon initiative, allows people across the county to borrow a blood pressure monitor from their local library for up to three weeks.

The initiative is being highlighted during Blood Pressure UK’s annual Know Your Numbers Week, which runs from September 7 to 13, with the aim of reaching people who may have high blood pressure without knowing it.

All 50 of Devon’s libraries now have blood pressure kits available to borrow.

Each kit contains a monitor, an instruction leaflet, a diary for recording readings and advice about what to do if blood pressure is found to be high.

High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, but if left untreated it can increase the risk of serious health problems including heart attacks and strokes.

Regular checks are therefore important, particularly for people who may otherwise be unaware that their blood pressure is elevated.

The scheme is led by Devon County Council Public Health, Libraries Unlimited and NHS Devon ICB, with the aim of making it easier for people to check their blood pressure regularly at home and share their readings with their GP surgery where appropriate.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for public health, communities and libraries, said the first year had demonstrated how a simple blood pressure check could have a significant impact.

During a tour of Devon’s libraries earlier this year, she heard first-hand about the experiences of people who had used the monitors.

One story particularly stood out, involving a resident who initially believed the monitor must have been faulty because their reading was so high.

They followed the advice provided with the kit and contacted their GP, who confirmed the reading was accurate and that urgent medical attention was required.

Councillor Cottle-Hunkin said the experience was ‘a powerful reminder of how something as simple as a blood pressure check can make a life-saving difference’.

She added that Devon’s libraries were ‘fantastic community spaces’, which offered much more than books, and were increasingly supporting the health and wellbeing of local residents.

During Know Your Numbers Week, residents are being encouraged to borrow a monitor from their local library and check their blood pressure in the comfort of their own home.

Newton Abbot Library, with support from Public Health Devon, will host an event on Wednesday, September 9, from 10am to 1pm, where people can learn more about the loan scheme and how to check their blood pressure.

One year on from its launch, the scheme has already helped hundreds of Devon residents take a simple, but potentially crucial step, towards understanding their health - and organisers are hoping even more people will take advantage of the service in the year ahead.