Doctors are encouraging people to get their blood pressure checked as they warn of the dangers of the condition.

An estimated 32 per cent of adults in the UK suffer with high blood pressure with 400,000 of those not controlling - or even aware - of their condition.

This week marks Know Your Numbers week and health bosses are urging people over 40 to take a free blood pressure check at a pharmacy or GP surgery.

Dr Mohit Sharma, consultant in public health and cardiovascular disease, said: “High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms so the only way to find out if you have it is to check your own blood pressure or to get it checked.

“Healthy adults aged over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years. However, if you’re at an increased risk of high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked more often, ideally once a year.

“Some people from Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, black African and black Caribbean heritage may have high blood pressure at a younger age and are more likely to have serious consequences so we strongly encourage you to get your blood pressure checked regularly if you are from one of these communities.”

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Left untreated, high blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

New data has revealed that 41 per cent of the British public were unaware that high blood pressure, if untreated, could cause heart disease.

Dr Sharma added: “Over 50 per cent of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure.

"Lowering your blood pressure by just 10 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) can cut your risk of stroke by over 25 per cent.

"Changes to lifestyle – eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not smoking – can help with this.”

Charity Blood Pressure UK said that cutting just one gram of salt from an average daily intake could reduce premature deaths from strokes and heart attacks each year in the UK by approximately 4,000.