Latest news with #BHF
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Heart attack alert as 5m Brits living undiagnosed with 'silent killer' condition
Failing to diagnose and treat this condition risks creating a 'powder keg' of future ill health, according to the British Heart Foundation. Health experts have warned that around five million Brits living with an undiagnosed 'silent killer' condition are at risk of heart attacks and strokes. It is estimated that millions of people in the UK currently have high blood pressure, but aren't aware. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a condition where the force of your blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. Over time this can cause damage to the blood vessels as well as organs. It is also a key contributing factor to many serious medical issues. However, it typically doesn't appear with any symptoms - earning it the nickname as a "silent killer". In an update provided by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as many as 125,000 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented in the coming decade by finding and treating the millions of people with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK,. The charity warned that failing to do so risks creating a 'powder keg' of future ill health that threatens to 'devastate families' and pile 'unsustainable pressure' on the NHS. Around half of heart attacks and strokes are linked to high blood pressure condition, it said. The BHF said: 'Of the 16 million adults in the UK estimated to have high blood pressure, up to half are not receiving effective treatment, our latest estimates show. As many as five million are estimated to have undiagnosed high blood pressure.' It is now calling on the UK to 'reimagine how it prevents cardiovascular disease' through research and innovation. Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, said: 'Huge gains can be made by reimagining how we detect and treat common risk factors for cardiovascular disease such high blood pressure. "But at the moment, millions of people are still living undiagnosed with these conditions, which raise the risk of serious illness such as heart attack and stroke – this is a powder keg for the nation's future health, so making sure these people are identified and treated is critical. 'Such change is within our grasp – years of medical advances mean we have highly effective, evidence-based treatments to treat high blood pressure. This is one of the many tools we have to stop heart disease before it starts, but we must get more effective at identifying those at risk and treating them. "Moreover, we must change the way we approach disease prevention, making it more convenient to access and by using cutting edge science and technology to more precisely identify and effectively treat people at risk, so that serious illness is avoided in the first place.' What is considered to be high blood pressure? The only way to be sure if your blood pressure is too high is to get it tested. You can do this either with an at-home kit or by asking your GP or pharmacist. Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers, with the first number higher than the second (for example, 130/80). According to the NHS, if you're under 80 years of age, you're usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is either: 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional 135/85 or higher when checked at home If you're aged 80 or over, you're usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is either: 150/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional 145/85 or higher when checked at home To lower your blood pressure, the NHS recommends you: Have a healthy, balanced diet Exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week Lose weight if you're overweight Do not eat too much salt – avoid salty food or adding salt to your meals Do not drink too much alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 alcohol units a week on a regular basis Do not drink too much caffeine – drinks high in caffeine include coffee, tea and cola Do not smoke If you're concerned about your blood pressure, you should speak to your GP.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Are YOU one of the ‘missing millions' at risk of heart attacks due to undiagnosed silent killer – the 4 signs to know
MILLIONS of Brits have undiagnosed high blood pressure and are at risk of heart attacks and strokes, the British Heart Foundation warns. The charity said more than 125,000 deadly emergencies could be prevented in the next decade if doctors tracked down people unaware they are at risk. 1 High blood pressure becomes more common with age (stock image) Credit: Getty It estimates five million people are not getting the right treatment. The BHF estimates 16million people – about a third of adults – have it, but around half are not getting treatment and five million don't even know they have it. Untreated, it is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes and accounts for about half of them. Chief medical officer Professor Bryan Williams said: 'This is a powder keg for the nation's future health. 'Making sure these people are identified and treated is critical. 'Huge gains can be made by reimagining how we detect and treat common risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure. 'But at the moment, millions of people are still living undiagnosed with these conditions, which raise the risk of serious illness such as heart attack and stroke.' Most read in Health Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the UK, on a par with cancer. High blood pressure usually does not cause any symptoms but it is easily detected with routine health checks. What is high blood pressure and what is a normal reading? Some people do show signs of illness and they can include: Headaches Blurred vision Nosebleeds Chest pains How to lower blood pressure Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension) puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs and it can raise your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Here's how to reduce it. Reduce salt Adults are recommended to limit their salt to 6g per day (around one level teaspoon) to avoid health consequences including high blood pressure. The top tip is to swap out table salt, according to the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study, replacing it with a reduced sodium and added potassium alternative. Cut down on alcohol Excessive boozing can narrow the blood vessels, which raises the risk of hypertension. Official drinking guidelines advise that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week to keep health risks from alcohol low. Get moving Exercise is good for the heart and the blood vessels. Although the guidelines recommend 150 minutes of activity per week, if you're currently very inactive, just a walk to the shop every day is better than nothing, and you can work up from there. Studies suggest that isometric exercises - when you hold the body in one position without moving, such as a wall squat or plank - are best for lowering blood pressure. Stop smoking Smoking cigarettes is a killer. It makes the arteries sticky and narrow, which can cause blockages. While smoking is not a direct cause of high blood pressure, it can cause an instant rise to pressure, heart rate and reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the body's cells. Skip coffee Sadly, caffeine can cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure - even if you don't have high blood pressure. Therefore cutting back on coffee is recommended as a lifestyle tip for those with hypertension. Lose weight The above tips can help you to lose weight, which is beneficial because being overweight in itself is a risk factor for hypertension. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Are YOU one of the ‘missing millions' at risk of heart attacks due to undiagnosed silent killer – the 4 signs to know
MILLIONS of Brits have undiagnosed high blood pressure and are at risk of heart attacks and strokes, the British Heart Foundation warns. The charity said more than 125,000 deadly emergencies could be prevented in the next decade if doctors tracked down people unaware they are at risk. 1 It estimates five million people are not getting the right treatment. High blood pressure can be caused by old age, excess weight, a bad diet or drinking and smoking, and raises the risk of heart damage and dementia. The BHF estimates 16million people – about a third of adults – have it, but around half are not getting treatment and five million don't even know they have it. Untreated, it is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes and accounts for about half of them. Chief medical officer Professor Bryan Williams said: 'This is a powder keg for the nation's future health. 'Making sure these people are identified and treated is critical. 'Huge gains can be made by reimagining how we detect and treat common risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure. 'But at the moment, millions of people are still living undiagnosed with these conditions, which raise the risk of serious illness such as heart attack and stroke.' Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the UK, on a par with cancer. High blood pressure usually does not cause any symptoms but it is easily detected with routine health checks. What is high blood pressure and what is a normal reading? Some people do show signs of illness and they can include: Headaches Blurred vision Nosebleeds Chest pains How to lower blood pressure Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension) puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs and it can raise your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Here's how to reduce it. Reduce salt Adults are recommended to limit their salt to 6g per day (around one level teaspoon) to avoid health consequences including high blood pressure. The top tip is to swap out table salt, according to the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study, replacing it with a reduced sodium and added potassium alternative. Cut down on alcohol Excessive boozing can narrow the blood vessels, which raises the risk of hypertension. Official drinking guidelines advise that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week to keep health risks from alcohol low. Get moving Exercise is good for the heart and the blood vessels. Although the guidelines recommend 150 minutes of activity per week, if you're currently very inactive, just a walk to the shop every day is better than nothing, and you can work up from there. Studies suggest that isometric exercises - when you hold the body in one position without moving, such as a wall squat or plank - are best for lowering blood pressure. Stop smoking Smoking cigarettes is a killer. It makes the arteries sticky and narrow, which can cause blockages. While smoking is not a direct cause of high blood pressure, it can cause an instant rise to pressure, heart rate and reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the body's cells. Skip coffee Sadly, caffeine can cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure - even if you don't have high blood pressure. Therefore cutting back on coffee is recommended as a lifestyle tip for those with hypertension. Lose weight The above tips can help you to lose weight, which is beneficial because being overweight in itself is a risk factor for hypertension. Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Worst places in the UK to have a heart stoppage identified
A charity has identified some of the UK's 'defibrillator deserts', highlighting which places in the UK people could be least likely to get urgent help if their heart suddenly stops. The devices give a shock to someone whose heart has stopped, also known as a cardiac arrests. They can be found in communities across the UK – on the sides of libraries, schools or other local landmarks – which mean that people can be helped during the wait for emergency services. Around 30,000 cardiac arrests occur in communities around the UK each year, also known as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said. Less than one in 10 people survive these medical emergencies. But the use of a defibrillator and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can double a person's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. The BHF said that every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases survival chances by 10%. The BHF has highlighted 10 of the communities across the UK which do not have a potentially life-saving defibrillator close by. These are: – Holme Hill, Grimsby, England– Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, England– Mixenden, Halifax , England– Revoe, Blackpool, England– Gabalfa, Cardiff, Wales– Trevethin, Pontypool, Wales– Hillhead Kilmarnock, Scotland– Broomhill, Greenock, Scotland– Twinbrook, Dunmurry, Northern Ireland– Lagan Valley, Lisburn, Northern Ireland The charity is urging local communities which do not have defibrillators to apply for its Community Defibrillator Funding Programme. Sam Kennard, community defibrillator manager at the BHF said: 'Defibrillators save lives and make communities safer. 'Every defibrillator holds the power to help save someone's life and is crucial in the chain of survival during a cardiac arrest. 'We've made progress but there are still some areas without any defibrillators at all, and these are among our most deprived communities. 'We are delighted to be relaunching our community defibrillator funding programme to reach the areas where we can make the most difference and save more lives from cardiac arrest.'
Leader Live
21-07-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Worst places in the UK to have a heart stoppage identified
The devices give a shock to someone whose heart has stopped, also known as a cardiac arrests. They can be found in communities across the UK – on the sides of libraries, schools or other local landmarks – which mean that people can be helped during the wait for emergency services. Community Defibrillator Coordinator, Joanne, explains how to use a defib to help someone in cardiac arrest. — Yorkshire Ambulance (@YorksAmbulance) May 31, 2024 Around 30,000 cardiac arrests occur in communities around the UK each year, also known as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said. Less than one in 10 people survive these medical emergencies. But the use of a defibrillator and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can double a person's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. The BHF said that every minute without CPR and defibrillation decreases survival chances by 10%. The BHF has highlighted 10 of the communities across the UK which do not have a potentially life-saving defibrillator close by. These are: – Holme Hill, Grimsby, England– Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, England– Mixenden, Halifax , England– Revoe, Blackpool, England– Gabalfa, Cardiff, Wales– Trevethin, Pontypool, Wales– Hillhead Kilmarnock, Scotland– Broomhill, Greenock, Scotland– Twinbrook, Dunmurry, Northern Ireland– Lagan Valley, Lisburn, Northern Ireland The charity is urging local communities which do not have defibrillators to apply for its Community Defibrillator Funding Programme. Sam Kennard, community defibrillator manager at the BHF said: 'Defibrillators save lives and make communities safer. 'Every defibrillator holds the power to help save someone's life and is crucial in the chain of survival during a cardiac arrest. 'We've made progress but there are still some areas without any defibrillators at all, and these are among our most deprived communities. 'We are delighted to be relaunching our community defibrillator funding programme to reach the areas where we can make the most difference and save more lives from cardiac arrest.'
