Stockport Council is supporting Blood Pressure UK’s campaign Know Your Numbers! Week 2016, which is urging the public to regularly check their blood pressure.

According to research by the charity, 1 in 3 people (16 million people) in the UK are living with high blood pressure (the single biggest cause of death) – and yet 5 million people remain undiagnosed.

In Stockport, while 43,000 people have been diagnosed with hypertension and are being treated, it’s believed around 15,000 people have high blood pressure and don’t know it.

As part of Know Your Numbers! week,  we are urging the public to regularly check their blood pressure as it’s estimated that by finding these people over the next 10 years, a staggering 45,000 heart attacks or strokes could be prevented, saving £850million in NHS and social care costs.

Key risk factors leading to high blood pressure include excess weight, eating too much salt, alcohol and physical inactivity.

Councillor Tom McGee, Executive member for Health said: “High blood pressure can put you at risk of serious illness and death, so it is very important to get your blood pressure checked at least once a year, as it doesn’t often show symptoms. I had my blood pressure tested a couple of weeks ago and it’s quick! More importantly, it’s painless and you get the results instantly.

“There are also a number of ways to keep your blood pressure down and stay healthy, such as eating less salt, taking more exercise and drinking less alcohol.”

Dr Ranjit Gill, a local GP who leads Stockport CCG, said “Having your blood pressure taken costs you nothing but we have a huge number of people in Stockport who are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not having it done.

“It really is nothing to be afraid of. The test is simple and quick and the treatment, if you have high blood pressure, is easy. If not for yourself, do it for your family. They’ll be the ones left devastated if you have a heart attack or stroke.”

For further information on Know Your Numbers Week, go to: www.bloodpressureuk.org/kyn.