New initiative tackles ‘silent killer’ condition

Thousands of patients have reduced their risk of developing serious health problems as part of a new drive to tackle hypertension.

Hypertension – or high blood pressure - is a leading cause of strokes and heart attacks and affects more than one in four adults in England.

Early detection is important as the condition, described as a ‘silent killer’, often shows no obvious symptoms.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious long-term health conditions, including heart and kidney failure and vascular dementia. 

Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure, if it is already high.

NHS Kent and Medway has been working with GP teams, community pharmacies and voluntary organisations to identify people who may be at risk or unaware they have hypertension. 

More than 290,000 people in Kent and Medway were living with hypertension between April 2022 to March 2023.

Now, 66 per cent of these patients have a controlled blood pressure after receiving lifestyle support and medication.

Sukh Singh, Director of Primary Care at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “This is a monumental achievement, which will improve health outcomes for patients across Kent and Medway.

"It is only possible thanks to the highest quality of care and services provided by general practice, community pharmacies, community providers, and voluntary and third sector partners.”

Best performing practice in the region 

Manor Road Surgery in Deal has been recognised for its work to protect people at risk of stroke or heart attacks after it achieved the highest blood pressure control figures in the south east. 

In March 2023, 87 per cent of patients diagnosed with hypertension had a controlled blood pressure.

Dr Marianne Ford, who works at the surgery, said: “We identified patients we needed to see, and they were invited for a face-to-face appointment with an experienced nurse who gave advice and management strategies, and any necessary tests were arranged.

“We have found patients are more likely to engage when invited for face-to-face appointments.”

It is not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but certain factors may increase your risk. You may be more at risk if you: 

• are overweight
• eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
• do not exercise enough
• drink too much alcohol or coffee, or other caffeine-based drinks
• smoke
• have a lot of stress
• are 65-years-old and over 
• have a relative with high blood pressure
• are of black African or Black Caribbean descent
• live in a deprived area.