Unichem, Life Pharmacy and Kinetik Wellbeing with the support of David Letele, founder of BBM, launch free blood pressure testing stations across the North Island to highlight Heart Awareness Month

Unichem and Life Pharmacy, in partnership with Kinetik Wellbeing and David Letele, founder

of BBM, are launching a North Island-wide campaign called “Know Your Numbers NZ” to

encourage more Kiwis to check their blood pressure, and steps they can take to stay heart

healthy.

During the month of February, also known as Heart Awareness Month, six free blood

pressure testing sites will open on specific days in Central, West and South Auckland, along

with Rotorua, Whangarei and Tokoroa.

People can come into a testing site without an appointment, have their blood pressure

tested for free, and speak with Unichem or Life Pharmacy teams about their heart health.

Unichem and Life Pharmacy Group Chief Operating Officer, Alison Van Wyk, says the

nation’s largest pharmacy provider is focused on prioritising the heart health of Kiwis by

raising awareness of knowing your numbers and understanding what it means for you.

“We know that every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease. It is known as

the silent killer due to its asymptomatic nature and the majority of people with high blood

pressure are completely unaware they have it.

“It’s important we remind New Zealanders to get their blood pressure tested regularly and,

importantly, that they don’t have to wait to do so. Our Unichem and Life Pharmacy teams

offer this service all year-round and, crucially, knowing and managing your blood pressure

could just help save your life.”

David Letele, who is a pillar of driving healthy habits and social good for the South Auckland

community, has joined the campaign to encourage more people to take control of their

heart health.

Letele says joining the campaign aligns well with his ongoing work for social good, including

running community kitchens and food share services as well as community gyms, youth life

skills and resilience programs, and his BBM From the Couch programme.

“Right now, there are many New Zealanders going about their day who don’t know they’re

at risk of a range of illnesses related to high blood pressure, including heart disease. I’m

excited to be a part of this campaign to help encourage more Kiwis to talk to their local

Unichem and Life Pharmacy teams and understand why keeping their blood pressure in

check is so important.”

Kinetik Wellbeing produce clinically validated medical devices for use in the home and are

on a mission to empower health at home.

According to Amie Kendall, Head of Partner and Digital Marketing, they are pleased to be

partnering with Unichem and Life Pharmacy where they will supply all the blood pressure

devices at the pop-up testing sites to provide fast and accurate blood pressure readings.

“Through this campaign, I’m excited by the opportunity to raise awareness of the

importance of this topic across New Zealand and encourage more people to take control of

their heart health.

“People should know their blood pressure numbers just like they know their weight and

height. Regularly checking your blood pressure is key to understanding your heart health,

you’ll also then understand what changes may be needed to bring your numbers to within a

healthy range.”

The free testing sites will be open in the following locations for anyone to visit and check

their blood pressure with a trained Life or Unichem team member:

• Karanga Plaza opposite ANZ Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland CBD – Tuesday 21

February from 7:30am – 6pm

• Paramount Plaza, Whangarei – Wednesday 22 February, 10am – 3pm

• 2 Margan Avenue, New Lynn (parking lot) – Thursday 23 February, 10am – 3pm

• The Mall Rotorua, Amohua Street – Friday 24 February, 9am – 12:30pm

• BBM, 49 Ashworth Street, Tokoroa – Friday 24 February 2pm – 4:00pm

• Otara Markets, Otara Town Centre Car Park – Saturday 25 February, 6am – 12 pm