Raw data from recent health screenings indicate that 30 percent of Bermuda's residents could have high blood pressure while 40 percent could have high blood cholesterol.

The two are major factors in heart disease - the number one cause of death in Bermuda.

The results were gathered from a recent screening of more than 200 people, aged 29 to 88, who participated in the free health checks.

Government's Chief Nursing Officer Gaylia Landry said the group was not a representative sample but the screening, which restarts in October, would help give a true picture of the problem.

She said: "These statistics reveal that more and more Bermudians are putting a lot of stress on their bodies and need to take better care of themselves. "We have made a number of doctor referrals over the past month so that people with high blood pressure or cholesterol can undergo further checking and monitoring.

"High blood pressure has virtually no noticeable side effects in its early stage which is why even people with `normal' levels should have their blood pressure checked annually, or every few months for those with high or borderline blood pressure.

"Sadly, very often the first sign of high blood pressure is a heart attack, stroke or kidney problem and this is what we want to avoid."

The screenings were done at Phoenix stores between August 22 and September 19, in partnership with the Department of Health's community nurses. The study will start again in October.

Ms Landry said: "There was no previous data for this particular type of screening project. Next year we will do a similar screening and compare it to this year's."

A change in diet is usually the only step necessary to lower blood cholesterol - a fatlike substance common in fatty foods.

However, if the level of cholesterol is unusually high or if there are other major risk factors for heart disease, the doctor may prescribe medication to lower the blood cholesterol level even sooner.

Those with high blood pressure will be retested at the Phoenix within 15 minutes and be given on-the-spot advice by nurses.

They will also be asked to visit a doctor or one of the Government's health clinics where they will be given a treatment plan which may include exercise and diet recommendations as well as medications in order to lower the pressure of blood.

Phoenix Stores senior marketing manager Pauline Girling said: "When we began to plan this programme, we wanted to offer a service that would be useful to a majority of the Bermuda community.

"We knew that heart disease is the number one cause of death in Bermuda and the initial results show that we really need to monitor our blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

"We hope that as many people as possible will take advantage of this free service over the next two months."

Members of the public are invited to visit a community nurse for a screening or nutritional advice at the following times and locations:

Friday, October 5th, noon - 2pm, Clarendon Pharmacy. Friday, October 12th, noon - 2pm Clarendon Pharmacy. Friday, October 19th, noon - 2pm, Clarendon Pharmacy. Friday, October 26th, noon - 2pm, Clarendon Pharmacy. Friday, November 2nd, 10am - noon, Collectors Hill Apothecary. Friday, November 9th, 10am - noon Collectors Hill Apothecary. Friday, November 16th, 10am - noon, Collectors Hill Apothecary.