Serena the health kiosk measures your blood pressure, height, weight, and heart rate.
•         Serena calculates your BMI and advise you of your optimal weight
•         Machine is part of a drive to help residents “know their numbers”

A health kiosk dubbed Serena is helping residents know their numbers – blood pressure and optimal body weight – so they can make lifestyle changes to improve their health.

Serena has been installed in the foyer at the Civic Centre in Silver Street, Enfield, as part of efforts by the Council to improve residents’ health.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Health, Cllr Krystle Fonyonga, said: “You may not know this but you can have high blood pressure without having any symptoms, and so it can be a ticking time bomb potentially causing a stroke or heart attack at any time.

“This is why it’s called the silent killer, and the only way to know for sure whether your blood pressure is high is to check it regularly.

“Serena is similar to the health kiosks which can be found in most GPs and some supermarkets all over the borough, and so wherever you see one please do ensure you take the opportunity to regularly monitor your blood pressure and avoid the silent killer.

“We are absolutely committed to improving the health of our residents, many of whom do not know their blood pressure or what their weight should be. Serena will help them find out so they can take action.”

We all need to live a healthy lifestyle, but it doesn’t need to be a daunting task.

Small changes can make a big difference, eating a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and less salty processed food,  being physically active as a part of your normal day at work and at home – maybe you want to ride your bike or get off the bus sooner or park a little way from your destination.

All this is helpful to keep a healthy weight.  And if a resident’s blood pressure numbers are high, it is very important they see their doctor and follow their advice.

Around 42,000 adults in Enfield know they have high blood pressure and a further 31,000 are estimated to have high blood pressure but are not aware of it.  This is particularly worrying as these people are not being treated for their condition.

The good news is that eating well, not smoking, not drinking heavily and keeping active helps prevent high blood pressure. It is treatable by taking prescription medications alongside living a healthy lifestyle.

It is very important to manage the problem because high blood pressure increases the chances of heart disease, kidney disease, dementia and stroke. So it is important for people to know their numbers so they can take action to stay well.

For more information please see: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/health/public-health/health-conditions/cardiovascular-disease-coronary-heart-disease-and-hypertension/#3