The Stroke Association urges the public to get their blood pressure tested and avoid being a statistic of the UK’s third biggest killer.
The call comes as figures show that nearly a quarter of people in the UK are unknowingly suffering from undiagnosed high blood pressure - the single biggest risk factor for stroke.
Joe Korner, Director of The Stroke Association said: “There is no doubt that blood pressure testing really can save lives. Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke – that’s 150,000 every year. But over 40% of those strokes could be prevented by the control of high blood pressure.
We also know that many thousands of people are completely unaware of their own blood pressure levels. Many of those people have no idea that they have high blood pressure and that their risk of having a stroke is massively increased. High blood pressure can be reduced through medication and controlled by changes in diet and lifestyle. Take action, get tested and change your lifestyle - you may prevent a stroke.”
High blood pressure is referred to as a ’silent killer’ for good reason. 16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure with many more unaware they have the condition. Most people can be treated effectively and benefit greatly by making small but significant lifestyle changes. Cutting down on alcohol, stopping smoking, reducing stress levels and leading a healthier lifestyle can all help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.
You can easily find out your blood pressure by asking your doctor for your blood pressure measurement, or you can take a blood pressure measurement yourself at home using a blood pressure monitor. It’s quick and painless, but it could potentially save your life.