A considerable proportion of young people in England, approximately 170,000 between the ages of 16 and 24, have undiagnosed high blood pressure, according to experts.
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), this equates to approximately 5 per 100 young males and 1 per 100 young women. Although it may not initially cause symptoms or problems, it places additional stress on the heart and blood vessels.
Hypertension is responsible for approximately fifty percent of heart assaults and strokes in the United Kingdom. It can occur at any age, so physicians recommend that all adults undergo regular blood pressure checks and take precautions to prevent long-term damage.
Chris Shine, from the ONS's analytical hub, told sources that the new analysis was conducted to identify the categories with the highest risk of undiagnosed high blood pressure.
He mentioned that they found a significant proportion of younger, healthier individuals are undiagnosed. This group may be unaware of their condition because if they are otherwise healthy, they are less likely to seek medical attention.
Chris Shrine added that these results will provide valuable insight for health services and those seeking to improve outcomes for one of the most common causes of premature death, especially since it is known that the earlier hypertension is identified, the more effectively it can be managed and treated in people of all ages.
About one-third of adults in the United Kingdom have elevated blood pressure, but many are unaware of it, according to experts.
Being overweight, consuming an improper diet, not being physically active, consuming an excessive amount of alcohol, and smoking can all elevate blood pressure.
The data originates from the Health Survey for England, which measured the blood pressure at home of 20,000 individuals, including 1,500 adolescents, on multiple occasions to obtain an average reading.
Dr. Pauline Swift from the charity Blood Pressure UK stated that while some risk factors, such as age and race, are unavoidable, others are within the control of the individual.
"In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of young people with high blood pressure, which frequently is the result of a poor diet, excessive salt intake, and insufficient exercise contributing to weight gain," she said.
She mentioned that by making small lifestyle changes as a young adult, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, consuming less salt and engaging in more physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, people are more likely to remain healthy and avoid strokes. It is estimated that every year in the United Kingdom, high blood pressure claims the lives of thousands of people despite being almost entirely preventable.
Everyone has a responsibility to monitor their own blood pressure, either at home, in a drugstore, or with their practice nurse. This can be done. This has the potential to save lives.
The millimeters of mercury (mmHg) scale is used to determine an individual's blood pressure. Blood pressure readings that fall between the range of 90 over 60 mmHg to 120 over 80 mmHg are considered to be within the normal range.