PEOPLE are being urged to "know their numbers" as part of a campaign to raise awareness around blood pressure levels.
The initiative, being supported by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, is spotlighting the importance of knowing your figures.
More than a dozen community pharmacies across the Keighley district are offering free blood pressure checks – details can be found at nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-blood-pressure-checks
The Know Your Numbers venture is spearheaded by Blood Pressure UK.
High blood pressure – or hypertension – is a major risk factor behind heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions.
Around 600,000 people in West Yorkshire have high blood pressure, but it's believed many will have the condition without being aware.
Emily Turner, for West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, says: "Helping people to understand and control their blood pressure is one of the most important things we can do to support everyone to live longer, healthier lives. Encouraging people to ‘know their numbers’ is a simple way to improve the health of everybody in the region.
"If you have high blood pressure and take medication, make sure through regular checks that it stays around 135/85. If it’s higher, please see your GP as soon as possible."
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