Free blood pressure checks to spot 'silent killer'

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease

Pop-up stalls and events offering free blood pressure checks are taking place across Oxfordshire and west Berkshire.

The Know Your Numbers! Week, which is supported by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), will run until 14 September, raising awareness of hypertension, or high blood pressure.

It is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.

Dr Heike Veldtman, GP at Thatcham Medical Practice and also BOB ICB lead on cardiovascular disease, said a simple test "can save lives".

Dr Heike Veldtman said high blood pressure was "completely treatable"

The NHS has referred to high blood pressure as "a silent killer". It often has no symptoms and about five million adults aged 18–64 in the UK could be living with it.

The week is being run by Blood Pressure UK and is aimed at finding those missing millions so they can get treatment.

Patients are advised to check with their local pharmacy on where they can access the free checks.

"High blood pressure is completely treatable but the key to treatment is being aware and knowing what your blood pressure should be," Dr Veldtman said.

"Many people now have their own monitors, they're very inexpensive to buy and all of our community pharmacies locally will take your blood pressure, if you ask them to.

"Some local libraries and gyms even offer to do it for you."