Year-round mobile unit to tackle high blood pressure

Two-thirds of over-50s have high blood pressure, the leading cause of stroke, warned the Irish Heart Foundation at the launch of a year-round national mobile health service.

Early detection is a powerful tool in tackling high blood pressure, it says, recommending that from the age of 30 everyone should be aware of their blood pressure and get it checked as a preventative step.

Dr Angie Brown, IHF medical director, said: “While most people have heard of high blood pressure, many still don’t understand the importance of having it checked.