Age needs one voice. Now it has:
Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern England and
Help the Aged in England.
One of the simplest health checks, but also one of the most important, is your blood pressure level. Find out why you should get checked regularly for high blood pressure.
Across the UK, 1 in 3 adults (around 16 million) has high blood pressure (a reading of 140/90 or higher) and this rises to at least 1 in 2 over-65s
Persistently high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a major cause of premature death and disability in the UK, because it can lead to strokes, heart attacks and heart disease.
If left untreated it can increase your risk of heart disease, kidney disease and dementia.
You can find out more about complications on the NHS website
Professor John Macgregor from Blood Pressure UK explains why getting your blood pressure checked regularly is so important
More health features
You’d have thought so, wouldn’t you? However, more than 5 million people don’t know that they suffer from hypertension – this is what gives it its other name: the silent killer.
If you suffer from hypertension, you’re 3 times as likely to develop heart disease and a stroke and twice as likely to die from these, compared with a person with regular blood pressure.
The important thing to know is that it's very easily managed once spotted. If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, as well as looking at your lifestyle, your doctor may ultimately also prescribe medication, depending on the readings.
- You can find out more about fighting blood pressure from the Blood Pressure Association.
Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.
Talking treatments involve talking to someone who is specially trained to help us manage our feelings.
A nationwide programme‚ supporting people aged over 50 with physical activity‚ healthy eating and mental well-being.
The Health A-Z section of this website contains information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of many types of illnesses.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the early assessment and treatment of NHS patients
Set the appearance of this website so you can read it more easily
To see information relating to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales set your preference below: