Under pressure

A third of us are officially living with high blood pressure. But there are fears the number could be much higher after more than half of those in a recent study were found to have it. So are you suffering without knowing it? Is your lifestyle piling on t

High blood pressure kills.. but there are easy steps to avoid it

AN ESTIMATED five million of us are unaware we have high blood pressure – or hypertension. It is known as the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms.

“High blood pressure is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions and yet it is still one of the leading causes of death in the UK,” said Katharine Jenner, head of Blood Pressure UK (bloodpressureuk.org).

“Having your blood pressure checked is one of the biggest steps that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure and yet so many millions are taking unnecessary risks with their health.”

One in three people is living with high blood pressure, according to official figures. Yet tests carried out by Lloyds Pharmacy suggest the problem could be more widespread.

After providing free checks to 19,000 shoppers, they found that nearly nine in 10 had a higherthan-healthy reading – and 54 per cent of them were classed as having high blood pressure.

The simple message is to have your blood pressure checked regularly at your health centre or pharmacy.

Your body will rarely display symptoms that it is contending with high blood pressure, but how you live your life can give you a clue as to whether you might be at risk or not.

Try this quiz by Blood Pressure UK to find out if you might be at risk – and get your pressure checked.

■ For more information, visit bloodpressureuk.org