THOUSANDS of people will be having their blood pressure checked during an awareness week between September 16-22.

High blood pressure is a major cause of stroke and heart attacks. It can affect anyone and rarely produces symptoms. But the condition can be treated -- the only way to tell is to have it checked.

As part of its awareness campaign,the Blood Pressure Association will be working with volunteers to provide testing at more than 1,000 locations, including supermarkets, department stores, health centres and even pubs and theatres.