Partners of Nottingham Forest fans 'worry more' than any other Premier League team

Partners of Nottingham Forest fans worry about their man more than those of any other team in the Premier League.

A Well Pharmacy poll reveals that 35% of wives, girlfriends and partners regularly worry about the health and blood pressure of their ‘other half’.

This puts Forest fans right at the top of the table, way ahead of second-place Aston Villa, where 28% of fans are the cause of regular worry for their partners.

The same number (35%) of Forest fans worry about their own health, but they are only the fourth most concerned supporters in the Premiership, with Brentford fans most worried about their health.

Some 46% of Forest fans enjoy a bag of chips at a match, 31% have a burger and 19% a pie.

When it comes to drinking, Forest fans are among the most sober, with nearly a third saying they abstain from alcohol on a match day, while 16% drink between seven and 10 units.

A similar study revealed that Luton Town fans are the most stressed out in the Premier League.

Glen Hoddle launches Blood Pressure United

Glenn Hoddle is in Nottingham today (January 30) to launch Blood Pressure United – a national health campaign tackling Britain’s ‘silent killer’.

The ex-England manager is meeting fans ahead of the Forest v Arsenal match tonight and urging them to take a simple test that could save their life.

Hoddle has teamed up with Well Pharmacy to tackle hypertension after the deaths of two fans and 26 medical emergencies in football crowds in just over two years.

His call on footie fans comes just six years after he collapsed with a cardiac arrest while on a day’s filming at a TV studio on his 61st birthday.

The Blood Pressure United campaign will kick off on Tuesday, January 30 at Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal match where Well Pharmacy’s mobile health bus and pharmacists will be offering free blood pressure checks to fans on their way to watch the Gunners take on Forest at home. 

Hoddle said: "Men can be incredibly stubborn about their health – believe me, I’ve got the scars to prove it. There are no obvious signs you have high blood pressure, but it’s easily spotted with a quick test, and then it’s manageable by making a few life changes, like I did.

"That’s why I had to get involved with this vital campaign from Well Pharmacy, and I’m calling on all fans to roll up a sleeve and get their blood pressure checked – and badger their family members to get tested too.

"I’m very concerned about the recent spate of fans taken ill at matches, so the next time someone you care about comes back home from the game, give them a hug… and tell them to get tested.

"Believe me, if the worst were to happen, you’d wish you both had some extra time".

Signs and causes of high blood pressure

Hypertension (higher than normal blood pressure) is a contributing factor in half of all strokes and heart attacks in the UK.

Around one in three adults has high blood pressure in England but as many as half of sufferers may not know they have it due to the condition showing very few symptoms*. 

Middle-aged men in England are among the most likely to have untreated hypertension, so Blood Pressure United is targeting male football fans who may be unaware they have it.

Lifestyle is one of the biggest contributors to high blood pressure – from stress to diet and alcohol consumption.

A poll conducted for Well – the UK’s biggest independent pharmacy chain – reveals male fans of all ages get stressed out, eat junk food and drink alcohol on match days.

The poll of male football fans reveals one in four find following their team very or extremely stressful.

Men most at-risk for untreated hypertension scored even worse, with nearly half (48%) of 35 to 54-year-olds finding supporting their team to be very or extremely stressful.

Ifti Khan, Pharmacy Superintendent for Well said: “We are delighted to have Glenn on side to launch Blood Pressure United and raise awareness of the importance of regularly checking your blood pressure. High blood pressure has very few noticeable symptoms – which is why it is known as the ‘silent killer’, but regular monitoring and simple lifestyle changes can be lifesaving, as Glenn knows.”

Men aged 45 to 65 years of age of among the most likely to have untreated hypertension * yet just 8% of men polled said they have had their blood pressure checked.