An estimated 750,000 adults in Wales are living with high blood pressure, and as many as 220,000 may be undiagnosed. The condition rarely presents symptoms, meaning many people are unaware they have high blood pressure, or of the potentially serious consequences of leaving it unmanaged. Through lifestyle changes, and if needed, prescribed medication, high blood pressure can be controlled and even reversed.
Watch our blood pressure animation to learn more about the condition:
Targeted interventions to improve prevention, diagnosis and control of high blood pressure in Wales, which are sufficiently funded, could not only prevent fewer people suffering from life-threatening heart attacks and strokes, but also prevent avoidable emergency admissions and save vital NHS funds.
Our report, ‘Tackling High Blood Pressure: Wales’ Silent Killer’, explores the scale of the challenge and identifies five main barriers to controlling high blood pressure in Wales:
- Limited public awareness, understanding and empowerment
- Health system pressures
- Limited data
- Health inequalities
- Medication adherence
In our report, we lay out a clear framework for change with four priority areas we believe Welsh Government must focus on to tackle high blood pressure in Wales:
- An all-wales approach to cardiovascular disease prevention
- Better awareness, understanding and empowerment
- Transforming systems of care
- Improving data collection and availability
Within these areas, we have identified seven policy recommendations, which you can read about in more detail in our report.
Through a fully funded Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan which is supported by Welsh Government, we can create lasting, positive outcomes for people at risk of cardiovascular disease in Wales.