Silent Killer: 1 in 3 Adults Have High BP

One in three adults in England are estimated to have high blood pressure, a condition that silently strains the heart and arteries, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This hypertension is recognized as the third leading risk factor for disease in the UK, contributing to over half of all strokes and heart attacks.

Alarmingly, half of individuals with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition or are not receiving treatment, with over five million people in England undiagnosed. High blood pressure is commonly referred to as the 'silent killer' due to its lack of obvious symptoms. The only reliable method to detect it is through regular blood pressure measurement.

Pharmacist Raj R Patel has addressed common misconceptions, stressing that people cannot feel if their blood pressure is high. He highlighted the 'Know Your Numbers!' campaign, encouraging adults from their 20s to 80s to check their blood pressure, as hypertension can develop without warning signs. Myths busted include the idea that headaches are a sole indicator and that one high reading signifies hypertension.

Lifestyle changes like weight loss, reduced salt intake, regular exercise, and moderating alcohol consumption can help manage blood pressure, with medication used when clinically appropriate. In the UK, blood pressure is generally considered high at 140/90 mmHg or above when measured in a clinic.