Blood pressure warning: more young people at risk of stroke
Many of us could be putting ourselves at risk of an early stroke, Blood Pressure UK has warned.
The charity said unhealthy lifestyles, stress and poor diets are causing more young people to be diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension).
High blood pressure put extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The proportion of strokes in people of working age (those aged 25 to 64) has increased despite an overall drop in the number of strokes. That means younger people than before are suffering from the life-threatening condition.
Blood Pressure UK is urging the public, regardless of their age, to check their blood pressure as part of Know Your Numbers! Week.
The Know Your Numbers! campaign is the UK's biggest free blood pressure testing event held at 'Pressure Stations' around the country from 18-24 September 2017. Volunteers hosting the Pressure Stations provide information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control and will measure your blood pressure accurately.
Being overweight, not exercising and eating too much salt are all key risk factors for developing high blood pressure. Hypertension was responsible for approximately 75,000 deaths in the UK in 2015, warns the charity.
Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of Blood Pressure UK said: "High blood pressure kills thousands of people every year in the UK, and is almost entirely preventable. By lowering the population's blood pressure even a small amount, we could save the NHS over £1billion every year."As an individual having your blood pressure checked is the most important step that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure."
Katharine Jenner, CEO of Blood Pressure UK says: "High blood pressure does not discriminate on age – People are dying unnecessarily because they fail to take such simple steps to reduce their blood pressure. Everyone is at risk and therefore it's essential to know your blood pressure numbers."
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