The Community Stroke and Heart Heroes partnership was officially launched on Thursday (25 January) to reduce the risk of strokes and increase the early detection of heart issues in Cumberland.
Launched to coincide with Stroke Prevention Day, the partnership aims to offer residents information surrounding how to keep blood pressure under control, smoking cessation, exercise, drinking alcohol within safe limits, eating a healthy diet, and how to maintain a healthy weight.
Representatives from the partnership organisations and volunteers from across Cockermouth and Maryport attended a training event on Monday 22 January at The Centre, Ewanrigg, Maryport, where they learned how to operate atrial fibrillation monitors and how to support health professionals to take blood pressure readings.
The volunteers will represent the partnership at community events throughout the area, offering blood pressure and atrial fibrillation readings to residents, as well as providing information surrounding how residents can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Residents with abnormal blood pressure or atrial fibrillation readings will be referred to community pharmacies or GPs within the partnership.
The Community Stroke and Heart Heroes partnership comprises of nine partners:
- Integrated Care Community (Cockermouth and Maryport ICC)
- Cumberland Council Public Health
- Cockermouth Rotary Club
- North Cumbria Integrated Care
- Castlegate and Derwent Surgery
- Maryport Health Services
- Cumbria CVS
- Fit4Life
- The Centre, Ewanrigg
- Community Pharmacies
Cumberland Council’s Director of Public Health and Communities, Colin Cox said: “The launch of the Community Stroke and Heart Heroes partnership is fantastic news for Cumberland residents living or working in Cockermouth, Maryport, and the surrounding areas.
“Cardiovascular death remains the leading cause of death worldwide and the largest cause of premature mortality. In the UK, cardiovascular death causes one in four deaths and 160,000 deaths annually, so it’s imperative that we increase the early detection of these issues and refer our residents to the appropriate organisation within the partnership”.
Cumberland Council Executive Member and portfolio holder for Adult's and Community Health, Cllr Markus Campbell-Savours, said: “Prioritising the health and wellbeing of our residents is a real focus for Cumberland Council, so I’m thrilled to see the organisations involved in the Community Stroke and Heart Heroes partnership working together to reduce the risk of heart issues and strokes in Cumberland.
“This new, innovative initiative is a fantastic way to engage with Cumberland residents, providing them with information on how to reduce the risk of strokes and heart issues, and will go a long way to keeping our residents healthier”.
Clare Edwards, one of the Community Stroke and Heart Heroes volunteers, said: “My family has been affected by stroke and atrial fibrillation, so it was important for me to do something practical to support local people in my community.
“I’m really excited to get involved in the partnership, and I can’t wait to get started”.
The Community Stroke and Heart Heroes partnership follows the success of the Copeland Community Stroke Prevention project which launched in the Copeland area in 2019. If the partnership is successful, Cumberland Council’s Public Health team will look to roll out this initiative across other areas within Cumberland.