The NHS is asking people to check their risk of a potentially serious condition often referred to as a “silent killer”. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can significantly increase a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure is a prevalent issue in the UK, particularly among older adults. Blood Pressure UK reveals that 31% of men and 26% of women in England suffer from hypertension.
Alarmingly, half of these individuals are neither diagnosed nor receiving treatment. The NHS advises: “Check if you’re at risk of high blood pressure”, adding: “There are usually no symptoms, so you may not realise you have it.”
Risk factors include age, with the likelihood of developing high blood pressure increasing as you age, and having close relatives with the condition. Ethnicity also plays a role, with those of Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian descent being at greater risk.
Being overweight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining an unhealthy diet – particularly one high in salt – and enduring long-term stress can also heighten your risk. If you suspect you may have high blood pressure or could be at risk, it’s recommended to get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy or GP surgery.
If you’re aged 40 or over and haven’t had your blood pressure checked in more than five years, you should also seek a check-up. Some workplaces offer blood pressure checks, so it might be worth enquiring with your employer.
Whilst elevated blood pressure typically doesn’t trigger noticeable signs, people who do encounter them might experience headaches, chest discomfort, and vision problems.
Nevertheless, NHS guidance remains clear – the sole method to determine whether you suffer from high blood pressure is through proper testing.
Earlier this month, 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.”
