They say we’re living in the information age, where the potential to know details about almost anything is virtually at our fingertips. But what about the important information that we sometimes forget to track? Everyday important functions of our body that we rely on, but can take for granted. I am referring of course to blood pressure.

The scary fact is that one in three Australians over the age of 25 has high blood pressure. It could easily be you. Are you aware of it? If not, you certainly should be. It is the most important risk factor for having a stroke, and stroke is the country’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability. The National Stroke Foundation has a solution to help you track your blood pressure numbers. Every time you have your blood pressure measured at your pharmacy or GP you simply enter your blood pressure reading onto the BP Tracker site.

Through monitoring it with this easy online tool, you will be able to realise if the numbers are gradually getting higher so that you can take action and help to reduce your risk of a stroke.  Now why would you let the most important information slip through the nets of the information age? Make sure you register and start BP Tracking today!

Last week was certainly a busy one here at the National Stroke Foundation. We had two big launches happening in Sydney - the launch of the Audit Report (on acute stroke services) and of Stroke of Art (the exhibition that we’ve been going on about for a while that has finally hit NSW Parliament House, don’t forget to check it out if you are in Sydney).

There were dignitaries galore, with the NSW Health Minister John DellaBosca speaking at the Parliament opening of Stroke of Art, and Sandra Sully lending a helping hand. If you want to check out the pics from either event, see the website photograph section, or you can click on this link to become a fan of the NSF on facebook and see all the latest pics and news.

Our CEO says she felt like she had never spoken to so many media all in the one day!! Take a look at a sample of the coverage that we received  across the nation about the Audit report.

 ABC ,  The West Australian, Sky News, Sydney Morning Herald

What are your thoughts? Something needs to be done, that’s for sure.

Thank you to everyone who sent in their postcards with messages of Faith, Hope and Courage - we are excited to say we have reached our target of 500 postcards, and have received some brilliant and inspiring messages from so many people touched by stroke. We also have had some lovely messages sent in by a few more well known people including Sandra Sully and John Newcombe. We only have space for a few more, so if you have created a postcard but haven’t sent it in yet, please make sure to send it in by the 29^th July and your card could appear next to these.

If you are in the area, make sure you get down to the NSW Parliament House to view the exhibition between 3-28 August, entry is free.

The exhibition will be officially launched  by the Minister for Health the Hon. John Della Bosca at a morning tea on Wednesday 5 August at 10.30am at the Jubilee Room, Parliament House NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

We will be celebrating the start of the exhibition with a cocktail party and fundraiser on the evening of Monday 3 August. If you are interested in attending the morning tea or cocktail party launch events please email Jasmine at jlesniak@strokefoundation.com.au