MORE than 200,000 Dorset residents are believed to be living with high blood pressure, NHS Dorset has said.   

Without regular testing this can go unnoticed, sometimes leading to serious health issues including stroke and heart attack, it added. 

Clinicians are encouraging people to sign up to BP@Home, an app-based service which helps people take readings in the comfort of their own home. 

The app means users can save their own time as well as their GP’s while being confident of an accurate reading. 

Steve Ible, 77 and from Blandford, is an app user: “Now I’ve got the app, I take my blood pressure before I get out of bed and there’s a consistent record for all to see.  

“It’s also useful for communicating with my doctor. The worries about stroke and heart attack are much less of a problem.  

“I would recommend the app to anybody to give them the confidence to stay on top of their condition and face the day with a smile on their face.” 

Dr Martin Longley, cardiovascular disease clinical lead, encouraged people to sign up to the service, adding there has been a “significant” reduction in blood pressure from hypertensive Dorset residents.