NHS in Leeds urges public to know their blood pressure numbers

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 a third of adults 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. If untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

David Wardman, Clinical Lead for Long Term Conditions at the Leeds office of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said: “Getting your blood pressure checked is easy and can save your life. All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years.

“If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and strokes.

“It’s not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are certain things that can increase your risk, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight, and not doing enough exercise. You might also be more at risk if you are over 65, have a relative with high blood pressure, or are of black African or black Caribbean descent.

“It’s crucial that any problems with blood pressure are spotted early so that necessary measures can be taken quickly. By having regular checks and keeping a record of your blood pressure numbers, high blood pressure can be treated and prevented.”

You can get your blood pressure tested at NHS pharmacies, at an NHS Health Check appointment, at home or at your GP surgery.

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Find out more about high blood pressure on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

Visit the Blood Pressure UK website: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/