Former MP urges people to check for 'silent killer'

Article excerpt

Jonathan Ashworth, a former Labour MP, is pushing for increased public awareness of high blood pressure after suffering a stroke himself. The condition, which often produces no symptoms, can lead to serious health complications including stroke and heart disease. Ashworth's campaign highlights a gap in public knowledge: many people don't realize they have hypertension until a medical crisis occurs. He's urging people to get their blood pressure checked regularly, particularly those at higher risk. Health officials have backed the call for better screening and prevention efforts.