Posted: 07/09/2023
Know Your Numbers Week runs from 4 to 10 September 2023 and is aimed at improving awareness around the importance of blood pressure testing.
This yearly event, which is now in its 23rd year, encourages people to get their blood pressure checked, in order to identify people who have undiagnosed and uncontrolled high blood pressure which, if left untreated, can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other life changing-illnesses.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, usually does not present with any symptoms and this is why it is often referred to as ‘the silent killer’. According to bloodpressureuk.org, around a third of people in the UK have high blood pressure, and many are unaware of the problem. The campaign aims to raise awareness and get as many people as possible to check their blood pressure so that those with hypertension can take steps to get their blood pressure under control.
The theme for the 2023 campaign is ‘Make the time, ease your pressure’. In previous years, pressure stations have been set up in the community but, over the last three years, the campaign has instead encouraged people to take up home monitoring. This is an effective way to measure blood pressure and, with people leading such busy lives, it makes testing more convenient and accessible so they can regularly monitor their own blood pressure, year round, to ensure it remains under control.
Despite the Know you Numbers campaign now focusing on home monitoring, there are still opportunities for people to get tested within the community. Many pharmacies have recently expanded their offering of blood pressure checks with funding under the primary care access recovery plan and some workplaces offer free blood pressure checks. The BBC has recently reported that, in an attempt to identify undiagnosed hypertension and prevent health problems before they arise, free blood pressure checks are being offered in some barber shops, supermarkets, mosques, and community centres. There are also some GPs offering home checks via an app. With advances in technology and the recognition of the importance of checking blood pressure, hopefully these options will become more widely available so as many people as possible can take the opportunity to get their blood pressure checked.
For people testing their own blood pressure at home, it is important to understand what is considered to be normal, and what is not, so they can seek advice if required.
Blood pressure readings give two figures (for example, 120/80), and are measured in mmHg, or millimetres of mercury. This represents the level of pressure the blood is exerting. The first number is your systolic blood pressure, and the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart pumps blood around your body. The second number is your diastolic blood pressure, and is the lowest level of pressure, when your heart relaxes between beats.
The boundary between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and does depend on a person’s individual circumstance. However, the general NHS guidance is that an ideal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 120/80. From 121/81 to 139/89 is considered pre-high blood pressure and could indicate a risk of developing high blood pressure if steps are not taken to keep it under control. Any reading from 140/90 upwards is considered to be high blood pressure, or an average of 135/85 if taken at home. To be considered high blood pressure, only one of the numbers needs to be higher than it should be, not both. For people over 80 years old, the target is different and any reading below 150/90 (or 145/85 if taken at home) is considered normal.
A single high reading will not necessarily mean someone has hypertension, so it is important to check your blood pressure more than once. Factors such as temperature and stress can increase blood pressure. A common problem, known as ‘white coat hypertension’, is when someone has high blood pressure because they are stressed about being in a clinical environment so testing at home, or in a less clinical environment, can help to combat this.
If someone suspects they have hypertension after home testing, they should seek appropriate advice, and, if necessary, treatment from their healthcare provider.
Hypertension causes damage to blood vessels and can lead to strokes and heart disease, as well as other serious illnesses. It is a major risk factor for heart attacks, aortic aneurysms, kidney disease, vascular dementia, and problems with eyesight. Testing is important because, due to the lack of symptoms, people often only become aware they have high blood pressure after they have suffered one of these life-changing events.
Men are at greater risk of hypertension than women but there are also lifestyle risk factors, such as:
Hypertension can often be managed by addressing risk factors, for example by altering diet and lifestyle. However, sometimes medication will be required.
As with most conditions, the earlier hypertension is treated, the better the outcome is likely to be. This is why it is important to get tested and Know Your Numbers so that, if necessary, you can ‘ease your pressure’.
© 2024 Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP.
All rights reserved.
Website design by Frontmedia / Dynamic Pear
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
Return to news headlines 