Millions unaware they have potentially fatal high blood pressure

According to a medical charity in the UK more than five million Britons are living with potentially fatal high blood pressure and are unaware of it.

The charity, the Blood Pressure Association (BPA) says if all these were diagnosed, 21,000 more lives could be saved each year.

Research shows that a third of the nation's 16 million adults with high blood pressure are completely unaware they have the condition because it does not have any early symptoms.

The charity believes that 40 per cent of stroke deaths and 30 per cent of heart attack fatalities would be avoided through medical intervention if everyone regularly checked their blood pressure.

This equates to 13,000 fewer deaths from heart attacks and 8,000 fewer from strokes each year.

Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine and chairman of the BPA, says raised blood pressure is the biggest cause of death in the UK through the strokes, heart attacks and heart failure it causes.

Dr. MacGregor says for those who are unaware of their high blood pressure, the consequences can be devastating.

He says the missing millions need to be traced as high blood pressure can easily be treated with lifestyle changes, or if necessary, medication prescribed by a doctor.

The release of the figures by the BPA is part of a nationwide campaign called 'Know Your Numbers Week' which is Britain's biggest blood pressure-testing event.

Free blood pressure checks are being offered in pharmacies, doctors surgeries, shopping centres, gyms and community venues and more than 250,000 people are expected to take part across the country.