Tayside Health Defence team deliver free blood pressure checks 29 January 2026 Carol, 62, lives in Dundee where she is a full-time carer for her 18-year-old grand-daughter, who has learning difficulties. Carol has been attending the CHSS Health Defence Hub in Dundee for the last six months and credits the support she has had there for helping her make positive lifestyle changes. the advice was exactly the sort of practical, sensible stuff I needed A chance encounter and an unexpected text message set Carol off on an unexpected health journey, one for which she is very grateful. Carol, 62, had seen a Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland health defence stall at Dundee’s Olympia Centre on a hot June day last year. Despite being frazzled and busy, on an impulse, she decided to get her blood pressure checked. The reading was high. Not dangerously high but high enough for a recommendation that Carol return a few weeks later to the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Health Defence Hub in the city’s Douglas Sports Centre where David Low is our Health Defence Lead (East). Free Health Checks Carol, a mum of two and grandmum of two, said: “I forgot all about it until I got a text out of the blue from David at CHSS, suggesting I come in for another health check. “The text was the perfect prompt. I made an appointment and got my blood pressure checked again. David gave me some information about healthy eating and exercise. He was so lovely and friendly – the advice was exactly the sort of practical, sensible stuff I needed. “The Health Defence Hub is such a great thing for us to have on our doorsteps. I know high blood pressure can be dangerous and a high risk for a stroke. I am so glad I got the information I needed to make even small changes to my lifestyle.” Carol is a full-time carer to her grand-daughter who is 18 years old and has learning difficulties. Negotiating the benefits system to ensure her grandchild gets the right payments as she transitions from child social care to adult social care has been fraught, and the stresses have added to those spikes in Carol’s blood pressure. She added: “I didn’t want to go on to any medication. I wanted to be able to make the changes myself because I need to be healthy and physically and mentally strong for both of us. I do a little meditation every day, and I try to walk more. “We are hopefully close to ensuring my grand-daughter gets the payments she needs so we can employ a personal assistant for her. That will give me a little more free time. I used to go to yoga, but the class is in the evening, so I’m hoping I can return to that. “I met a friend recently who’d been in hospital because of high blood pressure. I asked her if she’d been to get it checked since. She said no, she would rather not know. But the blood pressure checks could help her avoid a stroke, so I’m basically going to drag her in there!” Reducing Risk David Low is Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Defence Lead (East), covering the Health Defence Hubs in Dundee and Aberdeen. He said: “Carol represents what Health Defence is all about. Through her involvement in a community outreach session, we were able to identify some potential cardiovascular risks. “By engaging with us over time, she’s embraced simple, realistic changes that have steadily reduced that risk. “For me, Carol’s story shows how working at your own pace, combined with ongoing support, can meaningfully reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. I hope it inspires more people to feel confident about reaching out and engaging with our service.” You can book a free health check at Douglas Sports Centre by emailing taysidehub@chss.org.uk. Find out more about our Health Defence service and book your health check with Hubs currently in Glasgow, Tayside and Grampian here. If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.