West Ham MP Lyn Brown is asking local residents ‘Could YOU be the 1 in 3 who has high blood pressure?’ when she supports Know your Numbers! Week 2009, run by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association.

Today, Lyn is visiting Day Lewis Pharmacy in Forest Gate during the nation’s biggest annual blood pressure testing event, which runs from 7-13 September.

Lyn said: “I’m getting my blood pressure checked and supporting the Know your Numbers! campaign because it’s vital that people realise the importance of good blood pressure health. I hope local people here in Newham will take the opportunity to stop by for their free and convenient blood pressure check.”

 One in three adults in the UK – that’s 16 million – have high blood pressure, yet a third of those who have the condition don’t even know because it has no symptoms.

 Untreated it can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure but, once it is diagnosed, high blood pressure can be very successfully managed.

 Pharmacist Farhad Khodbaksh said: “Checking blood pressure is one of the key ways of keeping healthy and your local pharmacy is an ideal place to have this important check done.”

 Day Lewis Pharmacy in Forest Gate is among 1500 ‘Pressure Stations’ nationwide, which include health clubs, pharmacies, GP surgeries, supermarkets, shopping centres and other community venues offering free checks to all adults as part of the event.

 Mike Rich, Executive Director of the Blood Pressure Association, said: “High blood pressure affects a third of UK adults, yet millions have no idea that they have the condition. That’s why this year we’re asking ‘Could YOU be in the 1 in 3?’

 “We want to save the thousands of lives lost each year to strokes and heart attacks caused by high blood pressure, and a free blood pressure check during Know your Numbers! Week is an excellent first step to lifelong healthy blood pressure.”

 To find out where you can have your nearest free blood pressure check visit www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn or call 020 8772 4994. If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call the Blood Pressure Association’s Information Line on 0845 241 0989 (11am-3pm, Mon-Fri).