Regular blood pressure checks can save your life – early detection prevents serious complications.  Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a term encompassing conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths in England. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for CVD, yet it often presents without symptoms. An estimated 4.2 million people in England have undiagnosed high blood pressure, unaware they are at risk. Even small reductions in blood pressure can significantly lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.

• High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is the largest single known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  An estimated 32% of adults have high blood pressure.
• The prevalence of the condition increases with age from 9% of adults aged 16 to 44 to 60% of adults aged 65 and over.  However, as the condition rarely has noticeable symptoms, it is estimated that 3 in 10 of the estimated 32% of adults with hypertension remain undiagnosed, equating to approximately 4.2 million adults walking around with undiagnosed hypertension in England, and at high risk of a CVD event such as a stroke or heart attack.
• Left untreated, high blood pressure puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart, and other organs. Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of several serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

Once diagnosed, high blood pressure can be effectively managed with lifestyle/health behaviour changes and prescription drugs.  FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHECKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Key Campaign Dates

• World Salt Awareness Week – 15 to 21 May 2025
• Word Hypertension Day – May 17, 2025
• May Measure Month – May 2025
• Know Your Numbers Week – 8 to 14, September 2025