A week-long event is campaigning to raise awareness of high blood pressure.

'Know Your Numbers! Week', which has been supported by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System, aims to make people more aware of the risks of having high blood pressure and how you can monitor your own until Sunday, September 8.

Many might not be aware that they could have high blood pressure.

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The condition can damage your blood vessels with potential consequences being heart attacks, strokes, and other serious illnesses.

Keeping an eye on your blood pressure at home can alert changes to you early, allowing for timely intervention.

The event aims to not only increase awareness but to also boost the number of people who monitor their blood pressure at home.

Organisers say that taking regular readings at home is a cost-effective way of keeping checks on your health, making it unnecessary to make in-person visits to a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Dr Will Taylor, chief medical officer of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "As an individual, having your blood pressure checked is the most important step that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure other than, where applicable stopping smoking.

"Measuring your blood pressure at home is simple and can be done at a time that is convenient for you without needing to see a healthcare professional."

He added: "Keeping a record will help you and your clinician to see how your blood pressure is responding to lifestyle changes and, where relevant, any prescribed treatment.

“A one-off high reading is usually nothing to worry about but if this remains high or you are concerned about your readings, you should contact your GP practice online or by phone.”

Find Blood Pressure UK's guide to measuring blood pressure at home here: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home/how-to-measure-your-blood-pressure-at-home/.