NHS England South East is calling on people to get their blood pressure checked and be aware of the dangers of high blood pressure and untreated hypertension (high blood pressure).

An estimated 32% of adults have high blood pressure.¹  In the South East, 70 per cent of people with high blood pressure have their condition under control² but it’s estimated there are around 400,000 people with uncontrolled high blood pressure – many of whom do not know that they have high blood pressure.

This week (2 to 8 September) marks Know Your Numbers week which raises awareness of blood pressure testing.

If you’re aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy. You can also get your blood pressure checked at your GP practice or, if you have a blood pressure monitor, you can do it yourself at home.

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.

“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.

“Some people from Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Black African and Black Caribbean heritage may have high blood pressure at a younger age and are more likely to have serious consequences, so we strongly encourage you to get your blood pressure checked regularly if you are from one of these communities.”

Left untreated, high blood pressure can significantly increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

Data has revealed that worrying numbers don’t know the potentially fatal effects of high blood pressure – with four in 10 (41 per cent) unaware that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, and over a fifth (22 per cent) being unaware that it can cause strokes and heart attacks.³

Dr Sharma added: “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.”

Visit nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/ for more information.