EIGHT million people in the UK are unaware they are at risk of a stroke or heart attack because of their blood pressure.

People of all ages from across Yorkshire are being urged by charity, Blood Pressure UK, to stop by one its ‘Pressure Stations’ during this week to have a free blood pressure test.

Katharine Jenner, chief executive officer at Blood Pressure UK, said: “Sixteen million people in the UK have high blood pressure, but worryingly only half of them are aware of this and are being treated. These ‘missing millions’ are a ticking time bomb; putting themselves at high risk of having a stroke or a heart attack.

"Statistics from our Know Your Numbers! Week in 2013 found that 11 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds and 17 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds had high blood pressure and around a quarter of all younger men had a high normal blood pressure reading putting them at risk of developing high blood pressure which in turn could lead to a heart attack or stroke."

In North Yorkshire, there are Pressure Stations at Whitworth Family Pharmacy in Melrosegate in York. ASDA Pharmacy, in Monks Cross and in Harrogate, York, Copmanthorpe Pharmacy and Lincolnshire Co-operative Ltd in Thornton-Le-Dale.