THE NHS in the South East is urging people to get their blood pressure checked and be aware of the dangers of leaving high blood pressure untreated to mark the Know Your Numbers! campaign this week.
The call comes as new survey data from charity Blood Pressure UK shows that just under half of adults (44%) living in the South East don’t know their current blood pressure reading, and over a third (36%) don’t check it regularly – despite high blood pressure being the biggest preventable cause of death in the country.
In the South East it’s estimated there are over 440,000 people with uncontrolled high blood pressure – many of whom are not aware of their condition.
This year’s survey also found that while a large proportion of adults recognise that high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, just 12% know that people over 40 should check their blood pressure once a year – a critical step in preventing life-threatening complications.
Left untreated, high blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of suffering heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
Blood pressure checks are available at GP surgeries and pharmacies, with anyone over the age of 40 able to get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy.
Devices are available to buy that give people the ability to regularly check their blood pressure at home and the NHS in the South East is encouraging people to take control of their health to help prevent more serious health conditions developing.
Dr Mohit Sharma, Consultant in Public Health and regional lead for CVD Prevention said: “High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms, so the only way to find out if you have it is to get it checked either by your GP surgery, a pharmacy, or using a machine at home.
“Over 50% of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure by just 10 mmHg can cut your risk of stroke by over 25%.
“Changes to lifestyle – eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, and not smoking – can help with this and help people avoid needing medical care for more serious conditions later down the line.”
Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK, said: “These findings are deeply concerning. High blood pressure is a silent killer – it often has no symptoms, yet it’s responsible for more deaths than any other preventable condition in the UK.
“The fact that nearly half of UK adults don’t know their blood pressure reading is a wake-up call.
“We’re urging everyone, especially those over 40, to take a simple, quick blood pressure check – at home, in a pharmacy, or with their GP.
“It could be the most important step they take for their long-term health.”
Phil Pyatt, CEO of Blood Pressure UK added: “We know there are around five million people in the UK living with undiagnosed high blood pressure – the ‘Missing Millions’ who are unknowingly at risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and early death.
“That’s why Know Your Numbers! Week is so important. A quick check and one small lifestyle change – like cutting back on salt or walking more – could save your life.
“Don’t wait for symptoms–there usually aren’t any.”
