Need assistance to manage high blood pressure? Pharmacists at Real Canadian Superstore® and Extra Foods® stores can help

BRAMPTON, ON, May 17, 2013 /CNW/ - TSX:L: Today pharmacists at Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, nofrills, Extra Foods, SuperValu and Wholesale Clublocations are celebrating World Hypertension Day by reminding Canadians to have regular blood pressure checks. In partnership with Hypertension Canada , pharmacists at theselocations recently introduced the Blood Pressure Check Program, an easy, convenient option for consumers to better understand how to manage their blood pressure. The program is exclusive to Loblaw store pharmacies. Please visit http://www.drugstorepharmacy.ca/ to find a location.

Customers simply use the in-store machine to take two blood pressure readings and participate in a personal consultation with the pharmacist. During the consultation, the pharmacist reviews the data from the readings along with other health information to provide appropriate, personalized recommendations based on Hypertension Canada's guidelines.

"Hypertension Canada is committed to working closely with like-minded partner organizations such as Loblaw store pharmacists and the Blood Pressure Check Program to deliver positive benefits to the 7.4 million Canadians living with high blood pressure on a daily basis." says Judi Farrell , CEO, Hypertension Canada. "It is through these programs that weincrease awareness of high blood pressure and empower Canadians to make healthy lifestyle choices."

**What should Canadians know about hypertension?

"During the first month of the Blood Pressure Check Program more than 20,000 Canadians received consultations at pharmacies in Loblaw store locations across the country," said Bobbi Reinholdt , pharmacist and senior vice president, pharmacy, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Through these consultations our pharmacists helped those at risk make positive life changes including reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity and improving medication adherence."

For more information on the Blood Pressure Check Program and other resources available at Loblaw store pharmacies, please visit http://www.drugstorepharmacy.ca/.

In addition, Loblaw banner stores have several other resources to help Canadians live healthier lifestyles. Customers can also take advantage of programs, products and resources such as President's Choice Cooking School healthy eating cooking classes, PC Blue Menu products.

About Loblaw Companies Limited TSX:L Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada . With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 134,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice, no name and Joe Fresh brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial services and offers the PC points and PC Plus loyalty program.

** Source: Hypertension Canada (Canadian Hypertension Education Program - CHEP)

SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited

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Need assistance to manage high blood pressure? Pharmacists at Real Canadian Superstore® and Extra Foods® stores can help