Residents are being urged to check their blood pressure as over 200,000 adults in the city could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure UK is calling on all adults to check their blood pressure as part of Know Your Numbers! Week between September 2-8, which is the UK’s biggest free blood pressure testing and awareness event.

The charity is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation’s blood pressure to prevent disability and death from stroke and heart disease.

Over 216,000 adults, aged 18-64 living in Brighton, could potentially be living daily with undiagnosed high blood pressure according to polls conducted by the charity.

Despite 82 per cent of Brighton’s population knowing that salt intake affects blood pressure, 46% have never made any changes to their diet to reduce salt intake.

Cutting one gram of salt from an average daily salt intake could reduce premature deaths from strokes and heart attacks each year in the UK by approximately 4,000.

Those aged over-40 can get a free check by searching for participating pharmacies on the NHS website.

Dr Pauline Swift, chairwoman of Blood Pressure UK, said: “Reducing salt is the most cost-effective measure to lower blood pressure and reduce the number of people suffering from strokes, heart and kidney disease and life changing disabilities associated with this – all of which is completely avoidable.

“We hope our new government will encourage the food industry to use much less salt in their products, with strict target-enforcement.”

Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Top five tips for a healthy blood pressure’:

  • Cut down on salt – Reducing your salt intake it the quickest way to lower your blood pressure.  Don’t add it when cooking or at the table, avoid using stock cubes, gravy and soy sauce, check food labels and avoid processed foods high in salt – aim to eat less than 6g a day.

  • Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – at least five different portions every day.

  • Watch your weight – try to reach the right weight for your height.

  • Exercise regularly – that doesn’t have to mean the gym, how about a regular lunchtime walk? 30 minutes five times a week is ideal. If you are unsure about taking up exercise, ask your GP.

  • Drink alcohol in moderation – up to 14 units a week for both men and women – a glass of wine or a pint of beer is 2-3 units.