NHS campaign warns there are often 'no clues' when it comes to high blood pressure

• Up to 4.2 million people in England could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, according to NHS. 
• The ‘silent killer’ often has no symptoms but if left untreated, can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia. 
• New survey data shows that despite the majority of high blood pressure cases being asymptomatic, one in 14 respondents (7 per cent) from the West Midlands thought the condition has no symptoms.
• The Get Your Blood Pressure Checked campaign has been launched to highlight that there are often ‘no clues’ as to who has high blood pressure – backed by Gloria Hunniford and Graeme Souness as well as charities including the British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Heart Research UK, Blood Pressure UK, May Measurement Month, British Society for Heart Failure, and more.
• With the NHS expanding blood pressure checks in community pharmacies in the West Midlands– including capacity for an additional 2.5 million tests - the campaign is urging those aged 40 years and over to get a free blood pressure test at a participating pharmacy. 

High blood pressure, often described as a ‘silent killer’, affects an estimated 32 per cent of adults. As the condition rarely has any symptoms, approximately three in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to 4.2 million people in England.[1]

The public are today being warned that there are often ‘no clues’ about who might have high blood pressure - the only way to know is to have a simple test. With the NHS announcing an additional 2.5 million blood pressure checks in community pharmacies over this year and next[2], those aged 40 years and over are now being urged to get a free blood pressure test at a participating pharmacy. The procedure is quick, non-invasive and you don’t need to book in advance. 

Chief Medical Officer for England Sir Professor Chris Whitty said:

“High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health consequences such as a fatal heart attack, a stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a simple, non-invasive blood pressure test. Even if you are diagnosed, the good news is that it’s usually easily treatable. Getting your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy is free, quick and you don’t even need an appointment, so please go for a check today – it could save your life.”

This comes as new survey data[3] reveals widespread misconceptions about the condition among those at risk in the West Midlands. Despite the majority of high blood pressure cases being asymptomatic, only one in 14 respondents (7 per cent) thought the condition has no symptoms. The survey also revealed nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) of those surveyed have been put off having a blood pressure check because they don’t feel unhealthy or stressed.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia. However the survey of over 2,000 adults aged 40 and over revealed worrying numbers who don’t know the potentially fatal effects of high blood pressure – with two in five (42 per cent) unaware that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, and one in five (20 per cent) being unaware that it can cause strokes and heart attacks.  

To encourage more over 40s in to come forward for potentially life-saving blood pressure checks, new advertising features a fictional detective struggling to solve the mystery of high blood pressure, due to a lack of ‘clues’ and ‘insufficient evidence’. The campaign is being backed by Graeme Souness, TV pundit and former footballer, who is affected by high blood pressure and had a heart attack, and Gloria Hunniford, TV presenter and broadcaster, whose dad and husband have suffered strokes. The pair appear alongside other patients affected by the condition, and pharmacist Deepak Bilakhia, in a mock police line-up to demonstrate how any of us could be unknowingly walking around with the condition. 

Gloria Hunniford said

“This campaign is very close to my heart - both my husband and my father sadly suffered from a number of strokes due to high blood pressure, so I know from personal experience just how important it is to get your blood pressure checked, even if you feel healthy. That’s why I’m so pleased to hear that pharmacies offer free, quick blood pressure checks for people aged 40 and over – thankfully, this really will save lives.” 

Graeme Souness said

“It’s so important to get your blood pressure checked - in my experience, high blood pressure doesn’t only affect the ‘usual suspects’, it can and does affect anyone so you could be at risk without knowing it. I’ve had high blood pressure for years but have been able to manage it with a routine of healthy eating, regular fitness and regular blood pressure checks."

It is hoped that the campaign will urge those at risk to prioritise getting their blood pressure checked in the West Midlands even if they have no symptoms – after the survey revealed that blood pressure checks are low on the list of people’s annual priorities. The majority of those at risk currently prioritise annual tasks such as getting their car MOT’d (52 per cent), getting their boiler serviced (58 per cent) or renewing insurances (60 per cent), above checking their blood pressure (47 per cent) – despite its life saving potential.  

Meanwhile two in five (40 per cent) were not aware they could get a free blood pressure check at a pharmacy, with even more being unaware that they do not need an appointment (55 per cent). 

Helen Williams, Pharmacist and National Clinical Director for CVD Prevention, NHS England said:

“It can be easy to dismiss the risks of stroke and heart attack associated with high blood pressure, especially as it often has no signs or symptoms so I would encourage everyone over the age 40 to know their blood pressure numbers. With thousands of pharmacies across the country now offering free blood pressure checks with healthy living advice, it’s a quick, easy and convenient way to keep on top of your cardiovascular health at a time and place that suits you.”

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you by searching “pharmacy blood pressure check” or visiting the NHS website here.