Study finds most people with high blood pressure in England undiagnosed
Research cited by The Guardian says 59% of people with hypertension in England do not know they have it. Only half of those receiving treatment from a GP have their blood pressure under control, leaving many at increased risk of serious illness.
Millions of people in England may be unaware that they have high blood pressure, according to research reported by The Guardian. The study found that 59% of people with hypertension were undiagnosed. High blood pressure is often described as a “silent killer” because people may not know they have the condition.
The research also found that only half of people being treated for high blood pressure by a GP had the condition under control. The report described the current approach to treatment as inadequate, citing the researchers’ assessment that it was not fit for purpose. Uncontrolled or undiagnosed hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and early death, according to the report.
It called the research the largest study of its kind, but the supplied material did not provide details about the researchers, sample size, publication or the methods used. The findings indicate that many people who have high blood pressure are either not receiving treatment or are not reaching controlled levels despite treatment. The report did not outline specific policy recommendations or identify proposed changes to how patients are screened and treated in England.
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