Can we not put the Shoe on our Other Foot When it Comes to our Health?

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• Publié par: blood-pressure-uk
• Nombre de lectures: 139
• Langue: English

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Can we not put the Shoe on our Other Foot

When it Comes to our Health?

PR Newswire

LONDON, September 10, 2012

LONDON

,

September 10, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS:

Adults are three and a half times more likely to know their partners shoe size than

their blood pressure

Four times more likely to know their partner's place of birth than their blood

pressure numbers

Blood Pressure UK calls for all adults to have a free blood pressure check to help

reduce

Britain's

biggest silent killer

The UK has witnessed its most golden sporting summer ever. However, charity

Blood Pressure UK has released worrying new research that shows having

watched with excitement from the edge of our sofas, we now need to pay more

attention to our health and the health of our partners. The research reveals

that most people are more likely to know the shoe size of their nearest and

dearest than their weight or blood pressure.

Launching this year's Know your Numbers! Week, Blood Pressure UK is

appealing for every adult in the UK who has witnessed a truly great sporting

year to kick-start their own health by having a free blood pressure check. Blood

Pressure UK has released new research showing that only 32% of adults know

their own blood pressure [1] and when it comes about knowing about our

partner's most vital statistic- this figure is even worse, with just 17% of adults

knowing their partner's blood pressure, compared to 41% who know their

partner's weight, 60% who know each other's shoe size and 69% who know

their partner's place of birth (see table 1).

Whilst it may put us in the good books of our partner's to know what their

favourite drink is and what music they like, it's shocking to find out we're twice

as likely to know our partner's favourite band than their most vital statistic-

their blood pressure numbers.

A shocking 1 in 3 adults in the UK has high blood pressure and 1 in 9 adults has

high blood pressure and have no idea because it has no symptoms. It is the

UK's biggest silent killer, being responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart

attacks and is also a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and dementia.

Every year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. That's one

person every five minutes. A third of these die as a result and hundreds of

thousands are left disabled, some severely. A further 124,000 heart attacks are

also suffered, many resulting in death, others in permanent disability.

High blood pressure can quite literally devastate lives, yet 68% of people do not

know their own blood pressure

[1]

and only a quarter of this number knows their

partner's.

If it is detected though, high blood pressure can be successfully managed so

Blood Pressure UK is therefore urging all adults to become familiar with their

blood pressure numbers by taking advantage of the free tests available right

across the UK during Know your Numbers! Week, which runs until

September

16

. During Know Your Numbers! Week, over 1,500 free blood pressure testing

stations are set up all over the UK to encourage and enable people to get that

potentially life saving free blood pressure check.

A quick, painless test really can mean the difference between life and death or

serious disability.

All UK adults can find their nearest 2012 Pressure Station and take advantage

of their free check by visiting:

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/kyn or by calling [phone]-

4994 (office hours).

Professor Graham MacGregor, Chair of Blood Pressure UK, says,

"High blood pressure is a very dangerous condition when not managed. Its

effects can ruin lives, take lives and destroy families. It's not just old people who

have high blood pressure. Even in your thirties, you have a thirty percent

chance of having raised blood pressure. It is the biggest cause of strokes and

heart attacks, but the good news is that it can be lowered through lifestyle

changes and if needed by medication.

"The most single important thing that you need to know is what your blood

pressure is."

"You won't know what your blood pressure is, the only way you can find out is

by going for a free check today."

"It is everyone's responsibility to take care of their health for their own sake

and their family's. Watching what you eat and drink and knowing your blood

pressure and weight is common sense.

"Please take advantage of the free blood pressure checks on offer to lower

yours and their risk of stroke and heart attack."

If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to

someone over the phone, call Blood Pressure UK's Information Line on 0845-

241-0989.

[1] From a survey of 19,281 people taken during Know your Numbers! Week

2011, 68% of those tested were not aware of what their blood pressure

numbers were before testing.

Table 1.

Blood Pressure UK and Populas Survey asked 2,038 adults the

question below.

Table 1.

Which of the following do you confidently know about your partner?

Total

Male

Female

Unweighted base

2038

1018

1020

Weighted base

2038

999

1039

Their place of

1408

703

706

birth

69%

70%

68%

1316

623

692

Their eye colour

65%

62%

67%

1225

558

667

Their shoe size

60%

56%

64%

1192

592

600

Their height

58%

59%

58%

Their favourite

1187

590

597

drink

58%

59%

57%

845

382

463

Their weight

41%

38%

45%

Their favourite

784

345

439

musician/ band

38%

35%

42%

Their blood

348

170

178

pressure

17%

17%

17%

24

17

7

None of these

1%

2%

1%

I do not have a

509

226

283

partner

25%

23%

27%

Notes to Editors:

•

For more information on Know your Numbers! Week, call [phone]-

4980/4997/4992, or email [e-mail]

•

Blood Pressure UK is the UK's leading blood pressure charity working to

lower the nation's blood pressure. The charity provides information and support

for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the

condition. For more information visit the charity's main website at

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org or call [phone].

•

Blood Pressure UK is an on operating name of the Blood Pressure

Association.

Facts about blood pressure from Blood Pressure UK:

•

One in three adults in the UK - 16 million - has high blood pressure. A third

of these (5 million) don't know they have the condition.

•

High blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms. The only way to find

out if you have the condition is to have a blood pressure check.

•

Untreated high blood pressure is the major risk factor for stroke and heart

attack. It is also a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and vascular

dementia.

•

A healthy blood pressure is a level of 120/80mmHg or less. If readings are

consistently at or above 140/90mmHg, high blood pressure is diagnosed, and

action should be taken to lower it.

•

Although sufferers may feel healthy, uncontrolled high blood pressure can

progressively damage their vital organs.

•

You can lower your blood pressure by having a healthier lifestyle, and, if

necessary, by taking medication as directed by your doctor.

Blood Pressure UK's 'Top five tips for a healthy blood

pressure':

1.

Cut down on salt - don't add it when cooking or at the table and check food

labels to make sure you don't eat more than 6g a day (a teaspoon). Remember

75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we eat, so check the labels before

buying.

2.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables - at least five different portions every day

3.

Watch your weight - try to reach the right weight for your height.

4.

Exercise regularly - that doesn't have to mean the gym, how about a

regular lunchtime walk? 30 minutes five times a week is ideal, but if you are

unsure about taking up exercise and how much, ask your GP.

5.

Drink alcohol in moderation - no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no

more than 2-3 units for women (a pint of normal strength beer = 2 units, a

medium glass of wine = 2 units).