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KIT
Positive change
Of those asked (37%) have made
positive changes to their health
during the pandemic, around half
(56%) have now started eating more
healthily (including fresh fruit and
vegetables), 54% became more
active and 41% are eating less salty,
sugary and fatty foods. Research
shows that eating too much salt is a
major cause of high blood pressure,
particularly the rise in blood pressure
with age. As a nation, if we cut one
gram of salt from our average daily
salt intake, this would cause a fall in
blood pressure and there would be
approximately 6,000 fewer deaths
from strokes and heart attacks each
year in the UK.
Phil Pyatt, CEO of Blood Pressure
UK explained, "We remind everyone
that high blood pressure does not
show any clear symptoms, hence
the 'silent killer' reputation. That's
why it's so important to take control
of your health by Knowing Your
Numbers, as well as benefitting from
simple improvements in diet and
lifestyle such as eating less salt and
more fruit and vegetables while also
doing more exercise."
Professor Graham MacGregor,
Chairman of Blood Pressure UK
added, "Half of all strokes and
heart disease are due to high blood
pressure. It is therefore vital that it is
detected early and treated. Everyone
needs to take control of their health
by checking their blood pressure
either at home, at a pharmacy or
with their practice nurse. This could
save your life."
Hemini Bharadia, who managed
the Know Your Numbers campaign,
commented, "We estimate that nearly
6 million people in the UK unaware
of what their blood pressure is. Our
survey revealing that one in three
(37%) respondents say their blood
pressure is not a concern, but we
encourage the public to take control
of their health and get their blood
pressure checked. Since high blood
pressure is largely symptomless,
home monitoring can really help
people to feel more in control of
their condition. Whilst there is a
wide range of home blood pressure
monitors available, remember to
choose one with an upper cuff which
is the right size for your arm and
make sure it's UK approved."
www.bloodpressureuk.org
Why
monitor
blood
pressure?
Approximately a third of people
in the UK have high blood
pressure, but most (approx.
6 million) don't know it. High
blood pressure rarely has any
symptoms and so the only
way to find out if your blood
pressure is high is to check
with a blood pressure monitor.
High blood pressure can lead
to heart attacks, strokes,
heart disease and other
illnesses.
It could save your life. Every
day in the UK, 350 people
have a stroke or heart
attack that could have been
prevented.
By knowing your blood
pressure is high you can seek
the necessary treatment or
change your lifestyle to help
reduce it, which even by a
small amount, can lower your
risk of subsequent health
conditions.
Looking after your blood
pressure is a step towards
ensuring a long and
healthy life.
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www.beurer.com