CHARITY workers are appealing for people to check their blood pressure. The Blood Pressure Association is launching a five-day testing event today, asking the public to check of they could be the one-in-three of the population with high blood pressure

CHARITY workers are appealing for people in East London to check their blood pressure.

The Blood Pressure Association is launching a five-day testing event today, asking the public to check of they could be the one-in-three of the population with high blood pressure.

Health professionals in London are offering free checks with 1,500 'pressure stations' being set up around the country, including supermarket pharmacies, shopping centres, street markets, leisure centres and other community venues.

The charity estimates 16 million people suffer high blood pressure, including millions who don't realise it.

Last year's campaign in London found 72 per cent of those found to have high blood pressure had no idea.

Untreated high blood pressure can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure, the charity warns. But once diagnosed, the condition can be successfully managed.

The 'pressure stations are listed on the Blood Pressure Association website or call 020-8772 4994.