A DAD from Hook who had a stroke caused by high blood pressure is encouraging others to have regular checks because it is “not an old person’s disease”.

It comes as the Stroke Association launches its Know Your Blood Pressure campaign. The charity’s research has found that more than half of the UK’s male population do not know the level their blood pressure should be at – despite high blood pressure contributing to more than half of all stroke cases.

SA’s findings also show that men are at a 25 per cent higher risk of having a stroke and at a younger age than women.

Father-of-two Steven Brookes is backing SA’s campaign, which aims to get men to get themselves checked over, after his near death encounter.

Mr Brookes, 46 and from Newnham in Hook, had a stroke in May last year.

At first colleagues thought he was having an allergic reaction after he suddenly fell to the floor having a seizure.

An ambulance was called and Mr Brookes was rushed to hospital when doctors found that he had a large bleed on his brain.

Wife Becky feared for his life after being told it was likely he would not survive.

Although he survived and was left without any physical side effects following his stroke, he continues to experience hidden consequences of the accident including troubles with his memory, fatigue and cognitive problems.

Mr Brookes said: “I’d encourage everyone to monitor their blood pressure and have regular checks.

“I want people to realise that stroke is not an old person’s disease. It can happen to anyone, anytime with no prior warning.”

A person’s blood pressure should ideally measure around 120/80mmHg.

This represents the highest reading and the lowest reading of when the blood is pumped around the person’s body.

When both figures are high, problems, such as having a stroke, can begin.

High blood pressure affects 9.2 million people in the UK and a further estimated 6.8 million could be living without diagnosis.

Uncontrolled blood pressure can, over time, lead to stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney damage and eye problems.

SA, the country’s leading stroke charity, recommends quitting smoking, doing more exercise, drinking less alcohol, eating healthily and staying at a healthy weight.

Esme Mutter, Stroke Association Regional head of operations in South Central, An SA spokesman said: “These figures should be a wake-up call to men everywhere.

“High blood pressure is a silent killer, but a simple and painless test could prevent a devastating stroke.

“Too few people are aware just how serious stroke is or that up to 80% of strokes could be prevented.

“It’s vital that everyone knows what their blood pressure should be and gets it checked.”

To find out more visit stroke.org.uk/kybp.