Public Health England (PHE) has launched a campaign to identify the estimated 30,000 people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in Wakefield. The pilot campaign follows a study which found that over 1,000 people were admitted to hospital for a heart attack or stroke in the city last year.

Wakefield residents over 40 will be encouraged to visit one of over 50 blood pressure drop-ins, including community pharmacies, during the four-week campaign, starting this month. Healthcare professionals will also be on hand to offer healthy living advice.

Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Police and local businesses are supporting the campaign, encouraging employees and customers to drop in for a quick test. Faisal Tuddy, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Asda, said: “Too many people have undiagnosed high blood pressure in Wakefield and we hope to play a part in changing this alongside the rest of the local community”.