It's Check Your Numbers Week In Devon's Libraries

It’s Know Your Numbers Week In Devon’s Libraries

It's Know Your Numbers! Week in Devon. A week highlighting the importance of understanding your blood pressure and heart health. As a charity, we've worked with Devon and Torbay councils, NHS Devon, and public health teams to make blood pressure monitors available to borrow across all our libraries. Libraries Unlimited wants to empower library customers to understand their health. 

Since launching, we are proud to share that our library blood pressure monitors have been loaned out 850 times. The top five loaning libraries were Kingsbridge Library, Barnstaple Library, Exmouth Library, Tiverton Library, and South Molton Library. 49% of customers who borrowed a blood pressure monitor and responded to a survey, found that their blood pressure may be high upon measuring at home. We are proud to collaborate with our partners to allow library customers to access this knowledge and consider lifestyle changes to improve their health and wellbeing.  

Know Your Numbers! Week is a national campaign by Blood Pressure UK who work to raise awareness of high blood pressure and encourage people across the UK to know their numbers and better understand their health.

Library Blood Pressure Monitor Borrowing FAQs 

  • How long can I borrow a blood pressure monitor for? 

You can borrow a blood pressure monitor for up to three weeks.  

  • What do I need to borrow a blood pressure monitor from the library? 

All you need is your library card! If you aren't a member yet, you can join online and then pick up a physical library card at any of our libraries.  

  • Why use a blood pressure monitor at home? 

Tracking your blood pressure regularly at home allows you to understand your baseline blood pressure and the effect of medications or lifestyle changes. If you feel anxious in clinical environments, taking a reading at home can alleviate that stress.   

  • But I don't know how to take my own blood pressure? 

Our blood pressure monitors contain a handy guide to help you understand the best way to use your blood pressure monitor to get the most accurate readings.  

  • I need a larger arm cuff; does the library have more than one size available? 

Yes, we offer larger cuffs for those who need them. Simply ask a member of staff, and they can supply you with one.  

Should you have any questions when borrowing your blood pressure monitor, please ask a member of staff in the library.  Or catch Devon County Council's Public Health team in Cullompton Library on Tuesday 8th September, 10 am – 2 pm, Newton Abbot Library on Wednesday 9th September, 10 am – 1 pm, and Seaton Library on Monday 7th September, 10 am – 1 pm. The team will be on hand to show you how to use the monitors and record your readings.