Leading British doctor Dr Hilary Jones is backing the Stroke Association’s campaign to urge the public to get checked as new data suggests that more than 247,000 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight could be living with a ‘silent’ condition that causes deadly strokes.
More than half of stroke patients have high blood pressure and almost 1 in 5 have an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. Both conditions are often without symptoms. The charity warns that missed diagnosis and lack of treatment, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, could increase the number of strokes by thousands.
In the UK, around 10 million people have diagnosed high blood pressure. However, it is estimated that high blood pressure actually affects around 15 million adults in the UK. This means 1 in 3 people with high blood pressure are living with the condition undiagnosed. In the UK, around 1.4 million people have atrial fibrillation but an additional 500,000 cases are expected to be undiagnosed.
Dr Hilary Jones is a GP, presenter and writer, known for his television appearances on shows such as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. Dr Jones said:
“It’s vital that you get checked for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation so you can avoid a deadly stroke.
“In many people, these conditions often don’t have obvious symptoms – so taking the time to get checked could prevent a stroke. You can get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy, at an NHS Health Check appointment, at your GP surgery and at home.
“If you’re measuring your blood pressure at home, make sure you share your readings with your GP so they can regularly review your treatment. Checking your pulse is the first step to monitoring for atrial fibrillation. If your heart rate doesn’t feel right, talk to your GP.
“We know there are many cases of high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation that aren’t being diagnosed. But, if caught early these conditions can be treated with medicine or changes to your lifestyle, which can reduce your risk of a life-changing stroke.”
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Stroke strikes every 5 minutes in the UK, and happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off, killing brain cells. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke – causing blood vessels to narrow or block, or to burst. Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that prevents your heart from emptying blood properly, causing blood clots which can travel to your brain.
Go to the Stroke Association website for more information on high blood pressure and stroke and atrial fibrillation and stroke.
“If your heart rate doesn’t feel right, talk to your GP.” If trying to get through to an actual GP, rather than an untrained receptionist, doesn’t raise your blood pressure, nothing will.
I love it when they say “check with your GP” – as if!
Dr Smarmball himself.
Or what is commonly known as the Pfizer vaccine. Only 1199 other side effects to go.
How this old fool is still going I’ll never know
He is a national institution and a national treasure.
Just like Lenny Henry.
Lenny Who ???
Untrustworthy teeth.
Tip: you can set Apple Watch to check passively for AF i.e when it detects you sit still, it will every now and then fire ECG by itself, no need to even remember to run it.