Research reveals blood pressure ignorance

81% of people across Greater Manchester do not know their blood pressure and the average readings of those that do suggests 'serious implications for the future health of the population', according to UK charity the Blood Pressure Association.

Data gathered during the BPA's Know your Numbers! Week revealed 31% of people tested in Greater Manchester had high blood pressure readings.

People with high blood pressure (diagnosed as readings consistently at or above 140/90 mmHg) are three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than people with a healthy blood pressure, and are twice as likely to die from these conditions.

Graham MacGregor, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Chairman of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: "It's shocking that 81% of the adults we tested did not know their blood pressure numbers, yet amore than 30% of them had high blood pressure readings.

"These people are the lucky ones – high blood pressure is a symptomless condition but, once detected, can be successfully managed. If we are going to prevent the 350 daily strokes and heart attacks caused by high blood pressure, we need to help more people get to know their blood pressure numbers and to lower them."