PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson is urging residents to get a free blood pressure check as part of Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Number’ Week starting next Monday.

This year, the charity’s campaign aims to highlight that there are eight million people in the UK living with high blood pressure, but not being treated for it – both young and old – putting them at risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Statistics from Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers Week last year found that 11 per cent of 16-24 year olds and 17 per cent of 25-34 year olds had high blood pressure.

Katharine Jenner, chief executive officer at Blood Pressure UK, said: “Sixteen million people in the UK have high blood pressure, but worryingly only half of them are aware of this and are being treated.

“These ‘missing millions’ are a ticking timebomb; putting themselves at high risk of having a stroke or a heart attack.

“However, luckily, if detected high blood pressure can be successfully managed and returned to a healthy level which is why we are urging people of all ages to go along to our ‘pressure stations’ this month and to get to know their numbers.”

More than 1,000 official pressure stations will be open during the week.

Mr Stephenson said: “I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers Week because high blood pressure too often goes unnoticed and its consequences, such as stroke and heart disease, can be devastating.”