Public largely unaware of high blood pressure, study shows
One in three Britons has hypertension, with many undiagnosed and untreated
Fewer than half of Britons know what hypertension is, despite it being a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, a new study shows. The research, conducted by Hilo, surveyed about 20,000 people and found that one in three now have high blood pressure. Hypertension, the medical term for persistently elevated blood pressure, damages arteries and restricts blood flow and typically has no outward symptoms. When caught early, however, the damage can be prevented.
The findings also show that nearly 40% of young adults wrongly believe the condition has obvious symptoms. Rates are rising among younger people, with an estimated 170,000 individuals aged 16 to 24 living with undiagnosed hypertension. Among the roughly 16 million UK adults with high blood pressure, up to half are not receiving effective treatment, and as many as five million are believed to be undiagnosed.
Hypertension causes no symptoms in many cases, which is why the condition often goes undetected until serious damage has occurred. When identified early, lifestyle changes and medical management can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Public health messages emphasize the role of routine blood pressure checks and early intervention to prevent heart disease, kidney failure and dementia linked to long-term high blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference. Reducing alcohol intake, stopping smoking and adopting a Mediterranean-style diet are cited as steps that can help manage blood pressure and lower overall cardiovascular risk, according to health experts.
Dr Zoe Williams, a London GP, said: “Hypertension isn’t something to be scared of – it’s something to be aware of. When people know their numbers, they are enabled to make healthier choices. If we can improve awareness in all communities and help people to take those small, everyday steps earlier, we can prevent a huge amount of heart disease before it ever starts.”
Health researchers and clinicians urge expanded screening and education campaigns to close the gap between prevalence and treatment, noting that early detection and consistent management can substantially reduce the burden of heart disease and related conditions.