Important high blood pressure facts

Heart Disease and Stroke is the leading cause of deaths in the US and UK, and HBP is a major risk factor in it. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults (that is about 68 million people) has high blood pressure. About 16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure.

(A) 69% of people who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure.
(B) 77% of people who have a first stroke have high blood pressure.
(C) 74% of people with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure.
(D) High blood pressure is also a high risk factor for kidney disease.

In 2008 USA, HBP was listed as a primary cause of death for about 348,000.

Reducing average population sodium intake from 3,300 mg to 2,300 mg per day may reduce cases of high blood pressure by 11 million and save 18 billion health care dollars annually. CDC

High blood pressure is the main risk factor for Stroke.  It is also a major risk factor for heart failure, heart attack and kidney disease.

There are higher rates of men with high blood pressure than women before age 64.

About 62,000 unnecessary deaths from Stroke and Heart attacks occur due to poor blood pressure control and management.

High Blood Pressure develops over many years. Majority of people will have it, especially as they grow older.

High blood pressure can easily be detected. A Blood Pressure Machine can be used to take reading to confirm what the pressure looks like. These machines are very common these days and many people have them in their homes. They are available on the shelves of many pharmacy shops.

Low blood pressure is defined as having a blood pressure that is below 90/60mmHg.