The Heart Foundation is launching a nationwide blood pressure awareness campaign to encourage people to get their blood pressure checked.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects a million New Zealanders and is the single biggest risk factor for New Zealand’s biggest killer – heart disease.
One in three New Zealanders over 30 have high blood pressure. Of those, only a quarter have it under control. There are 350,000 Kiwis who have high blood pressure and don’t know it.
“High blood pressure damages your arteries and can lead to serious complications such as heart attack and stroke,” said Heart Foundation medical director, Dr Gerry Devlin.
“It’s often referred to as a silent killer because high blood pressure itself rarely has symptoms.”
New Zealand blood pressure control rates lag behind nations like Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Heart Foundation is determined to help turn that around and believes we should be aiming to double blood pressure control rates by 50% over the next 10 years.
“If we can achieve it, we will save 12,000 lives by 2040,” Devlin said.
“If we adopt a more ambitious goal to achieve 70% control by 2030, the number of deaths averted will be considerably higher.”
Devlin said high blood pressure currently contributes to 45% of the cardiovascular deaths in New Zealand each year (4000 people).
Successfully managing blood pressure can have a dramatic impact on heart health.
“For every 10-point drop in your systolic blood pressure, you reduce your risk of a heart event by 20%.”
Lynnette, a 53-year-old mother of two, mistook her heart attack symptoms for acid reflux.
She had a family history of high blood pressure and cholesterol and had managed with medication, though, she admits, not always consistently.
After an appointment with a cardiologist, who undertook tests, it revealed Lynnette had been experiencing a series of small heart attacks.
“I thought heart attacks were sudden and severe. I didn’t know they could happen like this, so gradually.”
She is now focused on living a healthier lifestyle, listening to her body, and getting medical advice when something feels off.
“Go to the doctor if something feels off. Don’t just assume it’s nothing. And if you’re on medication, take it regularly – it could save your life,” Lynnette says.
Blood pressure checks can be done by your doctor, nurse or at selected pharmacies. Home monitors are also an option.
“We want to encourage New Zealanders to get their checks done, understand what the numbers mean and take charge of their heart health to live a longer, healthier life,” Devlin said.
There are many practical actions people can take to prevent and help manage high blood pressure. Exercising more, reducing salt intake, improving sleep, reducing stress, increasing nutrition and reducing alcohol all have an immediate and positive effect on blood pressure.
The Heart Foundation is offering free blood pressure checks to the public at pop-up events around New Zealand from May 17.
A list of regional events can be found here heartfoundation.org.nz/bp-pop-up-events
