New data profiles that will allow service providers to compare rates of high blood pressure and hypertension between local authorities have been launched by PHE.
The profiles also contain data on the performance of local authorities in detecting and treating high blood pressure. They also contain information on different approaches that can be taken to improve performance and outcomes for each local population.
'We’re proud to be launching these profiles in order to help lower the prevalence of high blood pressure which still remains a public health problem across all regions in England,’ said Lorraine Oldridge, director of National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network. ‘By providing hard data local authorities can see how they compare to nearby regions and set new targets to reduce their levels of hypertension among their population.’
According to PHE, hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for premature death and disability, and can cause strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Conditions caused by high blood pressure cost the NHS over £2 billion every year, and it is estimated that £850 million of NHS and social care spend could be saved over 10 years by reducing the blood pressure of the nation as a whole.
‘Putting tailored interventions in place is key to ensure as many cases of high blood pressure as possible are diagnosed and monitored, and this is something we’re increasingly seeing from local authorities,’ said Jamie Waterall, chair of the blood pressure system leadership board at PHE. ‘Improving take-up of the NHS Health Check, a systematic testing and risk assessment programme for 40 to 74 year olds, offers a major route for increasing the detection of undiagnosed hypertension.’