Dozens of people screened at a public health session in Ilford have been found to have high blood pressure without realising it.

The findings were given to health secretary Wes Streeting at a health day organised for the Indian community at the Ilford Hindu Centre.

Some 300 men and women were screened which showed 15% were undiagnosed. These included 30 people who were also found to have undiagnosed high levels of sugar and possible other health issues.

The figures were shown to the minister by Dr Gopal Mehta from Aldersbrook Medical Centre in Wanstead who arranged the Ilford blood screening.

Dr Mehta told Mr Streeting: “It is surprising how many people have health issues they are not aware of. It is imperative they visit their GPs for routine health checks. This is an opportunity to educate and counsel the community about early detection and maintain good health.”

The health day on February 1st also encouraged more people in the community to donate blood to the NHS. It resulted in 19 people booking to give blood, something organisers said they would not have done otherwise.

Mr Streeting, who is also MP for Ilford North, said: “The health day shows the importance of community engagement. There should be more events like this up and down the country.”

It was also useful to help anyone with health issues to get support, like Chig Patel from Ilford who has autism and needed support looking for a job.

His doctor was aware of his symptoms but said he could not help get the support he needed.

The open public event helped Chig be more confident, getting advice at a stall run by Geeta Chaudhuri from PD Teach.

Chig said afterwards: “I can finally see a way forward and now feel I can join similar people for support.”

More health days organised by the World Council of Hindus are being planned at the Ilford Hindu centre to encourage the Indian community to get routine health checks to detect any problems early.