WIDNES Viking fans will be offered blood pressure checks at the game against Warrington Wolves on Friday, April 18.

The Stroke Association is hosting a Know Your Blood Pressure event for rugby fans to help prevent the biggest cause of strokes.

High blood pressure contributes to about half of all strokes.

It is treatable with medication and by making lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and eating healthily.

Almost a quarter of people in the north west are living with high blood pressure.

Karen Davies, communication support coordinator at the Stroke Association said: “Thousands of people are completely unaware of their own blood pressure levels, and some people we test can be shocked to hear they are showing a high reading.

“We then encourage them to follow this up with their GP.

“It’s a quick, free and painless way to find out your own risk.

“We hope the Know Your Blood Pressure event at the game will raise awareness of the symptoms, causes and risk factors of stroke with rugby fans.”

At the game, staff from the Stroke Association and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be offering free blood pressure checks to all match goers from 1:30pm to 3pm.

They will also provide information and advice to raise awareness of the causes of stroke.

In the north west, there are more than 14,600 strokes per year and over 157,300 people living with the effects of stroke.

The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading stroke charity which campaigns to improve stroke care. It supports people to make the best recovery they can and funds ground-breaking research to change the lives of people affected by stroke.

For more information about stroke, ring the helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit stroke.org.uk.