Special 'pressure stations' are being set up across Portsmouth as part of the Blood Pressure Association's Know Your Numbers Week.
In the past year 37 per cent of people who underwent checks were found to have high blood pressure.
Latest figure
s show 171 city residents died from heart disease or stroke between 2004 and 2006 – well above the national average and more than anywhere else in our area.
In total 101 people died in Havant, 75 in Fareham, 67 in Gosport and 78 in East Hampshire in the same period.
Now residents are urged to take 10 minutes to complete the free check – before it is too late. A health trainer will be on hand to offer advice to anyone whose results are too high.
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, director of public health and wellbeing for Portsmouth, said: 'High blood pressure is a major cause of stroke and heart failure, which are a leading cause of death and reducing quality of life in Portsmouth.
'But high blood pressure is a risk everyone can do something about, and the first step is to know your numbers.'
Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust and the city council are supporting the event as part of their new Sort it Portsmouthcampaign. This aims to reduce early deaths from disease such as heart failure or stroke.
Mike Rich, executive director of the BPA, said: 'Uncontrolled and undetected, high blood pressure is like a ticking time bomb that can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and dementia, but this is preventable.
'That's why we are urging people in Portsmouth to have a blood pressure check. It's quick, free and painless and could save your life.'
The full article contains 306 words and appears in The News newspaper.
