People urged to get free blood pressure checks

With unhealthy lifestyles and poor diet contributing to more young people in their 30s, 40s and 50s being diagnosed with hypertension, around one in three people in the UK are now living with high blood pressure (the single biggest cause of death) – with 6.5 million people still remaining undiagnosed.

Key risk factors for developing high blood pressure are eating too much salt, not enough fruit and vegetables, being overweight and not enough exercise.

Blood pressure testing is being hosted at Huddersfield Fire Station along with many healthcare settings, including pharmacies.

Skelmanthorpe GP Dr Steve Ollerton, also chairman of NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s important that people have their blood pressure checked and if it is high, speak to a healthcare professional to make the necessary lifestyle changes to help manage it.

“All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.”

Dr David Kelly, another local GP and chairman of NHS North Kirklees CCG, said: “High blood pressure is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions but if untreated, increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

“As an individual, having your blood pressure checked is the most important step that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”

The nearest blood pressure testing session will be held at Huddersfield Fire Station, Outcote Bank, Huddersfield, tomorrow from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

Hemini Bharadia, Know Your Numbers! Week Campaign Manager, Blood Pressure UK says: “High blood pressure does not discriminate on age or gender – people are dying unnecessarily because they fail to take such simple steps to reduce their blood pressure.

“Know Your Numbers Week! is the perfect opportunity to have your blood pressure taken for free and put you in control of your health.”

For further information on Blood Pressure UK and Know Your Numbers! Week, go to: www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/kyn/ Home/AboutKYN

This campaign also coincides with Public Health England’s relaunch of the Heart Age Test, which urges adults to take three minutes out of their day to take the test.

The test can be accessed on the One You website at https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou.