SphygmanometerApparently millions in the UK don't! And the Blood Pressure Association, a UK charity dedicated to lowering the nation's BP, wants to raise awareness of the so-called "silent killer" by promoting its largest event of the year, Know your Numbers! Week 2009. It's happening this week, 7-13 September, at thousands of Pressure Stations across the country.

While this is at a country-level, the most important part of these events is the awareness raised and the participation at the local level. There are days, weeks, and months that organizations like the American Heart Association (May) and the World Hypertension League (15 May annually) set aside to focus on raising people's awareness of their blood pressure. The good thing is that we live in a world where this has never been easier to do. And in the UK, this is the time to do it.