August 31st 2024.
Meet Graeme Souness, a familiar face in the football world, who is now fronting a new blood pressure campaign. Although it may seem obvious, Graeme has always been passionate about working out. Even after retiring from his professional football career, he continues to hit the gym constantly. He's the type of person who feels guilty for missing a workout, even if he's already worked out six days in a week.
At the age of 38, just two years after retiring from Rangers, Graeme didn't expect to have any major health problems. But in 1992, he was hit with the shocking news that he needed life-saving heart surgery. At the time, he was managing Liverpool and following the same training routine as the players. Despite feeling tired and experiencing headaches after just one glass of wine or beer, Graeme didn't think anything was seriously wrong.
It was a surprise when he was diagnosed with coronary heart disease, a condition where a blockage restricts blood flow to the heart. He needed a triple bypass and it was all due to high cholesterol levels and extremely high blood pressure. Graeme had previously been told by a club doctor at Rangers that his blood pressure was a bit high, but he attributed it to the stress of football. However, in 1992, a doctor at Liverpool classified his blood pressure as "very high" and further tests revealed the need for a triple bypass.
But even with his level of fitness, Graeme was determined to get through the operations and get back to work. Now, 32 years later, he manages his condition with simple medication and serves as a perfect example of how high blood pressure can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle. This is why Graeme is supporting a new campaign by NHS England to encourage adults to get their blood pressure checked.
High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and vascular dementia. Graeme wants to raise awareness about the importance of getting blood pressure checked. And the good news is that it's not only incredibly treatable, but it's also easy to get checked.
His message is simple: go and get checked. Graeme reflects on how scary it is to think that he had no idea how serious his condition was, but now there is better awareness and knowing your blood pressure could save your life. He also mentions the convenience of pharmacies offering free blood pressure checks without the need for an appointment. It only takes five minutes to get checked and it's a small price to pay for potentially life-saving information.
Graeme has personal experience with the effects of high blood pressure, as two of his uncles died prematurely and his father had his own bypass at the age of 70. He encourages everyone, especially those at risk, to take care of their health through lifestyle changes or medication. For Graeme, it was important to get better for the sake of his children and to continue taking care of himself. He acknowledges the impact of the medication he's been taking for over three decades, keeping his blood vessels healthy and allowing him to live a great life.
Aside from the personal aspect, Graeme also recognizes the social responsibility of dealing with high blood pressure, which is why he's part of this campaign. He also wants to emphasize that it's not just about weight or lifestyle, as even super fit athletes can experience serious health conditions. Graeme mentions several high-profile cases in the football world and emphasizes the importance of investing in future health by getting checked.
In conclusion, Graeme urges everyone to go and get that check, regardless of how at risk or not they think they are. He speaks from experience when he says that it can happen to absolutely anyone at any time. Take it from Graeme Souness, who never thought he would have high blood pressure, let alone undergo major heart surgery. Don't wait until it's too late, prioritize your health and get checked.
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