The NHS in Leeds is encouraging all adults to get their blood pressure checked, as part of Know Your Numbers Week (4 – 10 September).
Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers Week aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with high blood pressure. High blood pressure (or hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms. Around 6 million people in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. 1 in 2 strokes and heart attacks are the result of high blood pressure.
Dr Sarah Forbes, GP and Medical Director for the ICB in Leeds said: “Getting your blood pressure checked is easy and can save your life. If untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
“It also usually has no symptoms, so you might be unaware that you have high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to a number of health problems including stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, vascular dementia and more.”
“I encourage everyone to ‘Know Your Numbers’ so that high blood pressure can be treated quickly, and health problems prevented. You can either check your blood pressure at home or with a local pharmacy. You can also see your GP.”
You can check your blood pressure at home with home blood pressure monitor or at your GP / pharmacy if they are offering blood pressure checks.
If you’re over 40, you can have this test done as part of an NHS Health Check, which is offered to adults in England aged 40 to 74 every 5 years.
Useful links:
- The British Heart Foundation: How to choose a blood pressure monitor and measure your blood pressure at home
- Blood Pressure UK: How to measure your blood pressure at home
ENDS
Notes for editor:
Find out more about high blood pressure on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
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