Condition behind strokes, dementia, pain and disability has no symptoms and there's only one way to find out if you have it

The NHS has revealed the number one cause of pain and disability in Greater Manchester - which kicks off serious conditions including strokes, heart attacks and dementia.

Raised blood pressure, or hypertension, is the number one cause of pain and disability in Greater Manchester, the region's NHS has uncovered. Medical chiefs are encouraging people to get their blood pressure checked - and make simple life changes that could stop them becoming gravely ill.

Blood pressure is the strength with which your blood pushes on the sides of your arteries - which are just like pipes - as it is pumped around your body. High blood pressure causes stress on your blood vessels and increases the risk of problems such as a heart attack, stroke or dementia, and can affect any part of the body.

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High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms, which means the only way to find out is to get your blood pressure checked with a quick test. Healthy adults over 40 years-old are encouraged to have their blood pressure checked every five years.

If you're at an increased risk of high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked more often, ideally once a year says the NHS. Doctors can help patients keep their blood pressure at a safe level through medication and/or lifestyle changes.

Dr Aseem Mishra, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Lead for NHS Greater Manchester, said: “Unfortunately, many people may not know they have high blood pressure as there are usually no symptoms, so it’s important that people do get checked if they haven’t recently.

“If you do find out you have high blood pressure, it doesn’t mean you have done anything wrong. There are many