Cheshire East Council is offering free blood pressure checks to help Crewe and Nantwich residents find out if their heart is happy and healthy.
The move is part of Know Your Numbers! Week – a national campaign running from September 9-15.
An estimated 21,000 people in Cheshire East unknowingly have high blood pressure.
It has no obvious symptoms but it is linked to strokes and heart attacks and increases the risk of kidney disease and dementia.
Many key risk factors for developing it are lifestyle-related, such as eating too much salt, not enough fruit and vegetables, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and not taking enough exercise.
It is also more likely as you get older, if it runs in your family and if you are of African, Caribbean or South-Asian descent.
During awareness week, local residents can access a state-of-the-art, touch-screen health kiosk in Crewe Lifestyle Centre.
This kiosk calculates pressure as well as body mass index, body fat, heart rate and heart age.
Staff and volunteers from local connected community centres have also been trained to take checks and these will be offered at a local centre near you soon.
Dr Matt Tyrer, acting director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “The message to residents is to get your blood pressure checked and help to keep your heart happy and healthy.
“High blood pressure is a largely preventable and treatable condition but contributes to the leading causes of death.
“Having your blood pressure checked is an important step to knowing and reducing your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”
To find your nearest pressure station online visit www.happy-hearts.co.uk
Many pharmacies across Cheshire East will provide information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control and will measure blood pressure accurately.
For more information visit http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/Home
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