THE British Heart Foundation for Cumbria has responded to this week's analysis the UK has seen a rise in cardiovascular fatalities with under 75s.

To help decrease this alarming statistic, Cumbria's British Heart Foundation (BHF) organisation have partnered the International Hypertension Society (IHS).

The partnership will support the May Measurement Month campaign to encourage as many people across the nation to get their blood pressure checked.

Emma Dickinson, fundraising manager for BHF's Cumbria region, said: "The people in Barrow are unlikely to know they're at risk, because the only way to know is if you have your blood pressure measured effectively.

"So this month, we’re partnering with the IHS to encourage the public to get their blood pressure checked as part of the May Measurement Month campaign.

"The latest figures are very concerning, but we can all help ourselves by getting involved with this campaign.

"As many as five million people in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure.

"Individuals are at risk of heart attack and stroke increases with high blood pressure - so knowing your blood pressure could save your life."

The 2015/17 figures from the BHF show 202 people in Barrow died of cardiovascular and heart disease deaths (105 men and 97 women) and the average premature death numbers for under 75 years, was 59 (39 men and 19 women).

The figures also show 85 coronary heart disease deaths were claimed in Barrow (55 men and 30 women) and the average death number for under 75-year-olds was 34 (25 men and 9 women).

There were also 10 premature death strokes in Barrow (5 women and 5 men).