A series of ads across a range of social media platforms land this week with the aim of encouraging residents in the South East of England to measure their blood pressure and take action where necessary.

The ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign is known as one of the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness events and takes place every year led by charity Blood Pressure UK.

NHS South East is giving an extra push to the campaign by drawing particular attention to high blood pressure with targeted messages on Facebook and ads via Google.

The national theme for this year’s campaign, which runs from 5-11 September 2022, is to Measure, Modify and Manage.

• Measure your blood pressure to see if it’s under control
• Modify your lifestyle
• Manage your blood pressure and your health to beat ‘the silent killer’

Building on the success of its very own hypertension (blood pressure) awareness campaign recently, NHS clinicians and staff across the region are backing this week’s national campaign by encouraging residents, especially those over the age of 40, to get to know their numbers. In doing so, you can help identify, prevent or treat high blood pressure which can be consequential if left untreated.

Dr Shahed Ahmad, NHS England’s Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Medical Director for NHS England in the South East, said: “High blood pressure, which rarely has noticeable symptoms, increases your risk of heart attack or stroke if left untreated, which is why knowing your numbers could save your life.

“The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure tested which you can easily do at several places.

“NHS pharmacies across the South East provide the lifesaving checks to anyone aged 40 or over. Equally, you can get your blood pressure checked at an NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74, at home using a home blood pressure monitor or at your local GP surgery.

He added: “If you are 40 and over, the recommendation is that you have your blood pressure tested at least every five years so that any potential problems can be detected early.

“If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, then it’s important to have your blood pressure tested more regularly, at least once a year.”

Around one third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure and around 8 million people in England have diagnosed high blood pressure.

As a general guide, high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you’re over the age of 80)

Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

Everyone’s blood pressure will be slightly different. What is considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.

For more information, visit High blood pressure (hypertension) – NHS (www.nhs.uk).