Know your numbers to prevent heart attack or stroke

Roughly a third of adults in the UK have hypertension (high or raised blood pressure), yet many of them are unaware of the problem. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, including heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease – raised blood pressure is the number one cause of preventable death* worldwide.

Blood pressure can be caused by a range of factors and as a result there is a variety of potential treatments. These include a range of lifestyle changes – particularly around weight loss, diet and regular exercise – and can also involve breathing exercises, mindfulness or yoga. In some cases, people may be prescribed medication to help control their blood pressure.

There are many low-cost blood pressure monitors that people can buy to use at home. If you would like to get your own monitor but you’re not sure which ones are reliable, you’ll find advice on the British and Irish Hypertension Society’s website: https://bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/for-home-use/

Anyone worried about their blood pressure can find more information on diagnosis and treatment here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension

Helping people to tackle the hidden danger of high blood pressure is part of Frimley Health and Care’s ‘Living Well’ ambition, which is a programme aimed at supporting all people to have the opportunity to live healthier lives, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are. The ambition is for everyone to have more years of healthy life, with more opportunities in education, work, accommodation, with healthier lifestylechoices and increased wellbeing.

You can find out more on the Frimley Health and Care website: Blood pressure - Do you know your Numbers? | Frimley Health and Care, as well as following Frimley ICS social media @FrimleyHealthandCare and @FrimleyHC.

*Causes of death that can be mainly avoided through effective public health and primary prevention interventions (i.e. before the onset of diseases/injuries, to reduce incidence).

Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System (ICS) is a formal partnership of health and social care organisations working together to improve services for the 800,000 people across East Berkshire, North East Hampshire and Farnham and Surrey Heath. The ICS includes NHS Trusts, Clinical Commissioners, GP federations and out-of-hours GP providers, Hampshire and Surrey County Councils and Bracknell Forest District Council.