High blood pressure a rising trend

14/02/12

By Adele Forrest

The number of men and women with high blood pressure is increasing year on year, according to Lloyds Pharmacy.

The company has revealed that 63 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women have high or very high blood pressure and the figures increased from 2010 to 2011.

The dangerous trend was also noted in under-35s, with 44 per cent scoring an above normal blood pressure, and 30 per cent placed in the high to very high area.

Only 18 per cent of the 100,000 people who had blood pressure tests during the 12 months had a normal reading and just 12 per cent were recorded as ideal.

Consultant heart surgeon, Leslie Hamilton, said: "Many people put their heart problems down to genetics, but your blood pressure is one area that you can control with lifestyle changes and medicine.

"We know that the results of a one-off test are not conclusive - that's why I'm urging people to get checked regularly and take the time to understand what their numbers actually mean."