LONDON, September 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS:

• Adults are three and a half times more likely to know their partners shoe size than their blood pressure
• Four times more likely to know their partner's place of birth than their blood pressure numbers
• Blood Pressure UK calls for all adults to have a free blood pressure check to help reduce Britain's biggest silent killer

The UK has witnessed its most golden sporting summer ever. However, charity Blood Pressure UK has released worrying new research that shows having watched with excitement from the edge of our sofas, we now need to pay more attention to our health and the health of our partners. The research reveals that most people are more likely to know the shoe size of their nearest and dearest than their weight or blood pressure.

Launching this year's Know your Numbers! Week, Blood Pressure UK is appealing for every adult in the UK who has witnessed a truly great sporting year to kick-start their own health by having a free blood pressure check. Blood Pressure UK has released new research showing that only 32% of adults know their own blood pressure [1] and when it comes about knowing about our partner's most vital statistic- this figure is even worse, with just 17% of adults knowing their partner's blood pressure, compared to 41% who know their partner's weight, 60% who know each other's shoe size and 69% who know their partner's place of birth (see table 1).

Whilst it may put us in the good books of our partner's to know what their favourite drink is and what music they like, it's shocking to find out we're twice as likely to know our partner's favourite band than their most vital statistic- their blood pressure numbers.

A shocking 1 in 3 adults in the UK has high blood pressure and 1 in 9 adults has high blood pressure and have no idea because it has no symptoms. It is the UK's biggest silent killer, being responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks and is also a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and dementia.

Every year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. That's one person every five minutes. A third of these die as a result and hundreds of thousands are left disabled, some severely. A further 124,000 heart attacks are also suffered, many resulting in death, others in permanent disability.

High blood pressure can quite literally devastate lives, yet 68% of people do not know their own blood pressure^[1] and only a quarter of this number knows their partner's.

If it is detected though, high blood pressure can be successfully managed so Blood Pressure UK is therefore urging all adults to become familiar with their blood pressure numbers by taking advantage of the free tests available right across the UK during Know your Numbers! Week, which runs until September 16. During Know Your Numbers! Week, over 1,500 free blood pressure testing stations are set up all over the UK to encourage and enable people to get that potentially life saving free blood pressure check.

A quick, painless test really can mean the difference between life and death or serious disability.

All UK adults can find their nearest 2012 Pressure Station and take advantage of their free check by visiting:

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/kyn  or by calling +44(0)208-772-4994 (office hours).

Professor Graham MacGregor, Chair of Blood Pressure UK, says,

"High blood pressure is a very dangerous condition when not managed. Its effects can ruin lives, take lives and destroy families. It's not just old people who have high blood pressure. Even in your thirties, you have a thirty percent chance of having raised blood pressure. It is the biggest cause of strokes and heart attacks, but the good news is that it can be lowered through lifestyle changes and if needed by medication.

"The most single important thing that you need to know is what your blood pressure is."

"You won't know what your blood pressure is, the only way you can find out is by going for a free check today."

"It is everyone's responsibility to take care of their health for their own sake and their family's. Watching what you eat and drink and knowing your blood pressure and weight is common sense.

"Please take advantage of the free blood pressure checks on offer to lower yours and their risk of stroke and heart attack."

If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call Blood Pressure UK's Information Line on 0845-241-0989.

[1] From a survey of 19,281 people taken during Know your Numbers! Week 2011, 68% of those tested were not aware of what their blood pressure numbers were before testing.

Table 1.

Blood Pressure UK and Populas Survey asked 2,038 adults the question below.

Table 1.

Which of the following do you confidently know about your partner?

                      Total         Male          Female
    Unweighted base   2038          1018          1020
    Weighted base     2038           999          1039
                     
    Their place of    1408           703           706
    birth              69%           70%           68%
                      
                      1316           623           692
    Their eye colour   65%           62%           67%
                                    
                      1225           558           667
    Their shoe size    60%           56%           64%
                      
                      1192           592           600
    Their height       58%           59%           58%
                      
    Their favourite   1187           590           597
    drink              58%           59%           57%
                      
                       845           382           463
    Their weight       41%           38%           45%
                      
    Their favourite    784           345           439
    musician/ band     38%           35%           42%
                      
    Their blood        348           170           178
    pressure           17%           17%           17%
                      
                        24            17             7
    None of these       1%            2%            1%
                      
    I do not have a    509           226           283
    partner            25%           23%           27%

Notes to Editors:

•    For more information on Know your Numbers! Week, call +44(0)20-8772-4980/4997/4992, or email kyn@bloodpressureuk.org

•    Blood Pressure UK is the UK's leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation's blood pressure. The charity provides information and support for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the condition. For more information visit the charity's main website at http://www.bloodpressureuk.org or call +44(0)20-8772-4994.

•    Blood Pressure UK is an on operating name of the Blood Pressure Association.

Facts about blood pressure from Blood Pressure UK:

•    One in three adults in the UK - 16 million - has high blood pressure. A third of these (5 million) don't know they have the condition.

•    High blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms. The only way to find out if you have the condition is to have a blood pressure check.

•    Untreated high blood pressure is the major risk factor for stroke and heart attack. It is also a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and vascular dementia.

•    A healthy blood pressure is a level of 120/80mmHg or less. If readings are consistently at or above 140/90mmHg, high blood pressure is diagnosed, and action should be taken to lower it.  

•    Although sufferers may feel healthy, uncontrolled high blood pressure can progressively damage their vital organs.

•    You can lower your blood pressure by having a healthier lifestyle, and, if necessary, by taking medication as directed by your doctor.

Blood Pressure UK's 'Top five tips for a healthy blood pressure':

1.    Cut down on salt - don't add it when cooking or at the table and check food labels to make sure you don't eat more than 6g a day (a teaspoon). Remember 75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we eat, so check the labels before buying.

2.    Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables - at least five different portions every day

3.    Watch your weight - try to reach the right weight for your height.

4.    Exercise regularly - that doesn't have to mean the gym, how about a regular lunchtime walk? 30 minutes five times a week is ideal, but if you are unsure about taking up exercise and how much, ask your GP.

5.    Drink alcohol in moderation - no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no more than 2-3 units for women (a pint of normal strength beer = 2 units, a medium glass of wine = 2 units).