News

An estimated 300,000 people unaware they have raised blood pressure

An estimated 300,000 people unaware they have raised blood pressure

NHS England South East has launched a new public awareness campaign about the dangers of high blood pressure and untreated Hypertension.

Over 300,000 people in the region are understood to have elevated blood pressure, completely unbeknown to them.

Dr Mohit Sharma, consultant in public health and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) lead in the South East said: “High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms, so the only way to find out if you have it is to check your own blood pressure or to get it checked. Your blood pressure can be measured at home, at a participating pharmacy or at your GP practice.

“In South East England, we estimate over 300,000 people have got an elevated blood pressure but are completely unaware of it. And the only way to be aware of it is to measure your blood pressure and get it checked if elevated.”

He added, “Healthy adults aged over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every 5 years. However, if you’re at an increased risk of high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked more often, ideally once a year.”

The NHS’s ten-week public awareness campaign uses powerful and poignant films, featuring local survivors of stroke. The videos show that such life changing events could be avoided if people are aware of the risk from uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Cecelia had a stroke aged 43 which had a major impact on not just her own life but that of her family. She said: “I had early signs of high blood pressure but didn’t do anything about it. One evening after work, I started feeling unwell, feeling very dizzy. Next thing I knew I woke up on the ward, lost my speech and couldn’t move my right side – I was in hospital for quite a while.

“The recovery process was long, but I was supported by a range of clinical professionals – going for walk, a few steps at a time. Sometimes I think we expect our GPs and nurses to spot the signs for us, but actually we all should take more responsibility to find out and manage our own blood pressure to avoid this happening to more people unnecessarily.”

Cecelia now volunteers at local Stroke Association community groups running art classes and other events as she is determined to help others.

Cecelia’s video highlights the need to raise awareness and threat from high blood pressure to younger people than those originally thought susceptible. Younger women aged 40 – 60 have been shown to be more at risk and people from different ethnic communities.

Dr Sharma adds, “Over half of strokes are preventable, and hypertension is the most important risk factor for strokes. Hypertension is completely silent and there might be no symptoms whatsoever. You might not feel unwell, you might not feel different. You might be carrying on with your life as normal, but it can have life changing and devastating consequences.”

The campaign also features volunteers Susan and Ian from the Hypertension Heroes project in Kent and Medway who go out to different community events to talk to  people about the risks of high blood pressure and how they should have it measured.

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’s considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.