JAPAN: Thousands of Japanese line up to break World Guinness Record of most blood pressure readings in a day

Record ID: 465462

  • Title: JAPAN: Thousands of Japanese line up to break World Guinness Record of most blood pressure readings in a day
  • Date: 20th May 2007
  • Summary: YOUNG GIRL HAVING HER BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED
  • Embargoed: 4th June 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVABDQ1C072NLLQQUWJ2LYFZCXMO
  • Story Text: Thousands of Japanese lined up at booths by the Chiba Lotte Marine Stadium outside Tokyo on Thursday (May 17) to break a World Guinness record and raise awareness for one of Japan's leading causes of death.
    A total of 2,109 people rolled up their sleeves to get their blood pressure measured by scores of doctors and volunteers for the World Hypertension Day. A Guinness World Record official certificate confirmed the record on Friday (May 18).
    "I have never cared for my diet these years. And as a result of it and partly due to medicines I have been taking, my blood pressure is a bit high. I should have taken care of myself more properly," 27-year old Kazuhiro Takahashi confessed after getting his blood pressure taken.
    "Offering medical check-up is very good idea," added 61-year old nursing care worker Mayumi Horiguchi.
    Strokes and heart diseases are the second and third leading causes of death in Japan and mean one in three Japanese die of hypertension related diseases annually, according to local medical sources. Yet hypertension can be easily detected early by simple and regular blood pressure measurements. An optimal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg, though that may depend on the individual's health conditions, the Japanese Hypertension Association said in a pamphlet distributed at the event.
    China, India and Russia lead the world in the number of deaths by heart disease annually, but Japan comes in fifth despite having a much smaller population base.
    To drive the point home, the association invited baseball players from the locally popular Chiba Lotte Marine team to join in, including their coach Bobby Valentine.
    Former Major League manager (Texas Rangers 1985-1992; New York Mets 1992-2002) in the United States, Valentine warned people against smoking and stress.
    "I know tobacco doesn't help a lot of people are smoking tobacco. I think there is some stress probably that doesn't help. I am not a doctor. I have no idea. Check your blood pressure all the time and make sure to see your physician it infect you have a problem. It really make things better for you," he told Reuters.
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