Lincolnshire GPs are backing a national NHS campaign by urging patients to get their blood pressure checked during Know Your Numbers Week, which began yesterday and runs until Sunday.

Surgeries are calling on patients to visit www.bloodpressureuk.org to find their nearest pharmacy offering free checks.

The campaign recognises that around 30 per cent of the UK population suffers from high blood pressure, which can cause serious illnesses including heart attacks.

In the UK high blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for all disease after smoking and poor diet.

Around one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure. In England 31% of men and 26% of women have high blood pressure.

The tests, which tell patients if their blood pressure is normal, high or low, can play an important role in reducing harm caused by heart attacks, strokes and other serious health complications resulting from high or low blood pressure.

The checks will be undertaken by fully-qualified staff, with vital follow-up guidance given as necessary. Resources and tips from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) on how to keep your heart healthy by reducing your blood cholesterol, changing diet, keeping active, reducing salt intake and maintaining a healthy weight will also be available.

Anyone wanting their blood pressure checked by their GP should call their surgery to make an appointment.

The ideal blood pressure range is below 120 over 80 (120/80mmHg) but most adults in the UK have readings from 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg.

Grantham-based Dr Dave Baker, GP and South West Lincolnshire Locality Lead, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "Knowing your blood pressure numbers really does count so we'd urge everyone to visit a pharmacy to get their blood pressure levels tested during Know Your Numbers Week.

"Many people in the UK are affected by high blood pressure but most of the time they will not know it. Yet it's responsible for causing very serious illnesses including heart attacks, which can be fatal.

"Having a blood pressure test can also help people to find out if they have low blood pressure. In general low blood pressure is good news but in some cases it might be triggered by medicines or a long-term illness such as diabetes."