Latest statistics by the ONS have shown that high blood pressure is being left undiagnosed in young people.
The statistics revealed that 66% of males and 26% of females aged 16 to 24 were particularly likely to be undiagnosed with high blood pressure.
This comes from an analysis by the ONS of risk factors for high blood pressure and undiagnosed high pressure among adults in England between 2015-2019.
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Chris Shine from the analytical hub at the ONS said: ‘Our analysis found that while the prevalence of hypertension increased with age and other known risk factors such as BMI and general health, there are considerable numbers of younger, healthier people who are undiagnosed.
‘This analysis will provide valuable insight for health services and those who work to improve health outcomes. It may also raise awareness among the general population, leading to more timely diagnoses in the future.’
Other statistics revealed an estimated 32% of adults living in private households in England had high blood pressure with three in ten being undiagnosed.
Which equates to approximately 4.2 million adults with undiagnosed hypertension.
Dr Pauline Swift from leading charity Blood Pressure UK commented on the analysis explaining that there are a number of characteristics that increase the risk of developing high blood pressure that cannot be changed such as increasing age or ethnicity.
She also said: ‘In recent years we have seen an increase in younger patients with high blood pressure, often as a result of poor diet, consuming too much salt and lack of exercise leading to weight gain. If you start making small changes to your lifestyle when you are young, such as eating less salt, more fruit and vegetables and taking more exercise to maintain a healthy weight, then you are more likely to stay healthier and prevent strokes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease.’