PHARMACIES will offer free blood pressure checks to highlight a national awareness week.
Easter Pharmacy, in Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, and Hutchins of Loughton Chemist, in High Road, Loughton, will offer free checks all week long to mark Know Your Numbers week, which runs from Monday, September 12 until Sunday, September 18.
The chemists are working with the Blood Pressure Association to make people aware of the problem, which is the most common cause of death after cancer.
High blood pressure is an often silent condition that can go unnoticed and affects middle-aged people the most.
One in three middle-aged people is estimated to have the condition. It can lead to a fatal stroke, coronary heart disease and kidney problems.
A healthy blood pressure is a level of 120 over 80 or less, whereas pressure at 140 over 90 or more is too high.
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