OVER a quarter of a million people in Yorkshire & Humber are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

If untreated, high blood pressure can significantly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also associated with an increased risk of vascular dementia.

Often referred to as the silent killer, high blood pressure doesn't usually have any symptoms so people can be unaware they have it however, if detected, the condition is easily treatable with a combination of simple lifestyle changes and medication depending on the individual.

The BHF is supporting May Measurement Month (MMM) - a global research initiative by urging people to get their blood pressure tested at home, in a pharmacy or a GP surgery.

The BHF is also currently funding community projects countrywide to reach and test people who are most at-risk of high blood pressure in everyday settings such as train stations, barber shops and football grounds, or through existing initiatives such as the Fire & Rescue Service safe and well programme.

* People in Bradford can visit the following venues for a free blood pressure check.

Wednesday May 22 - 9:00 to 11:30 Thornbury Medical Centre BD3 7HZ.

Thursday May 23 - 11:00 to 15:00 Cartwright Hall Paralympic Exhibition BD9 4NS

Friday May 24 - May12:00 to15:00 Jamiyat Tabligh Ul Islam Haworth Rd BD9 6LL

Wednesday May 29 10:00 to 12:00 Westfield House DWP BD1 3BE

Friday May 31 - 12:00-15:00 Jamiyat Tabligh Ul Islam Victor St BD9 4RB

The BHF also has a partnership with Rowlands Pharmacies, where people can drop in any time to have their blood pressure taken.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation said:

“Getting your blood pressure under control is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of having a heart attack a stroke. These figures show that millions of adults of all ages are living with untreated high blood pressure – a ticking time bomb that puts their future health in jeopardy.

“Having your blood pressure checked takes less than five minutes, but it is all too easy to put it on the back burner in our hectic day to day lives. That’s why we’re urging everyone to take a moment this month and get their pressure checked – it could ultimately save your life.”

Professor Francesco Cappuccio, Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Warwick, President of the British and Irish Hypertension Society and national coordinator of MMM19 in the UK said:

“Over 10 million people die each year due to conditions related to high blood pressure (hypertension) – such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure - but unless hypertension is detected we cannot treat it to prevent these conditions. Screening is cheap and takes only a few minutes to measure someone’s pressure which if raised can be easily treated. May Measurement Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of knowing your blood pressure number. Everyone should join in and support this unique initiative”.

Dr Youssef Beaini, Clinical Lead at Bradford CCG said: “We are very pleased to be able to support May Measurement Month to complement our current work on identification of people who may have high blood pressure.

“We have had some great results and have seen over 70 people diagnosed with high blood pressure who were unaware of this condition, and have been now started medication and made changes to their lifestyle to prevent a heart attack or stroke in the future.

“The British Heart Foundation is a name everyone knows and trusts and we have had such success with our work as a result of this collaboration.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to come along and have their blood pressure checked which takes only a few minutes but could save their lives.”

For more information please visit www.bhf.org.uk/checkyourpressure