CRICKETING legend Sir Ian Botham paid a surprise visit to York Hospital where he took advantage of a free blood pressure and health check.

The former England all-rounder joined 80 staff and visitors at the hospital for the tests, which were part of Vascular Disease Awareness Week.

The hospital said that about ten per cent of those tested this week were found to have higher than average blood pressure and were given advice from specialists.

The checks carried out on Sir Ian and the others were to establish the risk of them developing vascular disease, a condition that affects four million people a year in the UK with 200,000 preventable deaths.

Nicky Wilson, a vascular nurse, said: “Vascular disease can affect anyone at anytime and is as widespread as both cancer and heart disease. It accounts for 40 per cent of deaths in the UK. People can be affected in different ways – pain when walking, cold hands and feet, aneurysm or stroke. The condition can be hereditary, but there are some clear risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, diet and weight.”

She said: “One of the most common forms is peripheral vascular disease which is more commonly known as hardening of the arteries. This affects the legs and can cause pain, ulceration and amputation. Because many of the nine percent of the population who suffer with it are not aware of the disease, this illness can be left untreated and the effects are irreversible.

“The good news is that the disease can be treated medically and surgically. Prompt treatment makes a huge difference, for example people with symptoms of a mini stroke can have surgery on the arteries in the neck to help prevent them having a major stroke.

“Making lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, exercise, and not smoking are the biggest priority in preventing and controlling this disease. A blood pressure check is the most simple and painless way of monitoring your health and can be done at your GP practice and some pharmacies.”

Anyone who is worried they may be at risk of developing the disease can find out more online from the Circulation Foundation website at circulationfoundation.org