Search for over-40s with deadly condition

Health chiefs at NHS North Yorkshire and York have begun the campaign, after new research showed there are around 5,000 people across North Yorkshire who are likely to have undiagnosed hypertension or high blood pressure which can lead to severe heart disease.

As part of the campaign, anyone aged over 40 in the county is being urged to seek an appointment with their GP to get their blood pressure checked.

Dr Vicky Pleydell, chair of NHS North Yorkshire and York's clinical executive and GP at Harewood Medical Practice in Catterick Garrison, said: "We are asking anyone over 40 who hasn't had a blood pressure check in the last five years to contact their GP surgery and arrange to get tested.

"Having high blood pressure means that the heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Over time, this can weaken your heart. The increased pressure can also damage the walls of your arteries, causing them to be blocked or an artery to split. Ultimately this can lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

"If we can reach these 5,000 potentially undiagnosed patients we could prevent around 120 cases of cardiovascular disease and the associated admissions to hospital over the next five years."

North Yorkshire County Councillor Tony Hall, who has recently compiled a report to the scrutiny of health committee into stroke awareness and recognition, said: "Strokes are the third highest cause of death and high blood pressure significantly increases the chances of having one.

"But the condition can be managed, so I welcome this campaign and urge anyone over 40 and who hasn't had a blood pressure check in the last five years to arrange one at their GP practice as soon as possible."