A Haslemere man whose undiagnosed high blood pressure led to a stroke is urging others to check theirs – as it could save their life.

Trevor Cruickshank was just 43 when his life was “turned upside down” by a stroke in 2020.

Trevor, who owns a local catering business, first noticed “a strange foggy haze of tiredness” while out on a delivery. The next day, he was persuaded to call 111.

“Within ten minutes, a paramedic was in my house, warning me I could be having a stroke and needed to go to hospital immediately,” he said.

Rushed to Frimley Park Hospital’s stroke unit, he spent three days recovering. The stroke left him with weakness down his right side, and a struggle to move his hand and walk.

“Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, my husband Chris couldn’t visit me,” he added.

“I had to call him to explain, and I remember the pain in his voice as he reassured me we’d get through this together.”

Trevor counts himself lucky to have made a good recovery.

“A stroke can happen to anyone at any time, but if you’re of African or Caribbean origin, you may be at higher risk,” he warns.

“It’s so important to talk about it and share experiences to help others. The most crucial thing is to check your blood pressure – it could save your life.”

New Stroke Association statistics reveal a widespread lack of awareness that high blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes, which affect 100,000 people a year in the UK.

Nick O’Donohue, the charity’s associate director for the South East, said: “This has been increasing over the last 20 years, especially among working-age people. Each stroke changes lives in an instant.”

Free checks are available at GP surgeries, participating pharmacies, and NHS health checks for over 40s.