Urgent warning to millions living with undiagnosed 'silent killer'

More than four in ten UK adults do not know their blood pressure reading despite the “silent killer" being the biggest preventable cause of death. Charity Blood Pressure UK shared its latest research to mark Know Your Numbers! Week, which runs from September 8 to 14. It found that a third of people did not regularly check their blood pressure, with only 11% aware that over 40s should check it at least once a year.

Half of the 2,000 people surveyed mistakenly believed that high blood pressure would cause clear symptoms. An estimated 4.2 million people in England live with undiagnosed high blood pressure, increasing their risk of a raft of health problems including stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

Dr Pauline Swift, chair of Blood Pressure UK, said: “These findings are deeply concerning. High blood pressure is a silent killer — it often has no symptoms, yet it’s responsible for more deaths than any other preventable condition in the UK.

“The fact that nearly half of UK adults don’t know their blood pressure reading is a wake-up call. We’re urging everyone, especially those over 40, to take a simple, quick blood pressure check at home, in a pharmacy, or with their GP.

“It could be the most important step they take for their long-term health.”

High blood pressure causes strain on the body, particularly the blood vessels, heart and other organs such as the brain, kidney and eyes.

One of the most overlooked dangers of high blood pressure is kidney damage and it is one of the leading causes of kidney failure, Blood Pressure UK said. However, only 26% of people were aware of this.

Phil Pyatt, the charity’s CEO, said: “We know there are around five million people in the UK living with undiagnosed high blood pressure — the ‘Missing Millions’ who are unknowingly at risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and early death.

“That’s why Know Your Numbers! Week is so important. A quick check and one small lifestyle change — like cutting back on salt or walking more — could save your life. Don’t wait for symptoms. There usually aren’t any.”