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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Matt Atherton

Three 'severe' high blood pressure symptoms - huge number of people urged to get checked

High blood pressure affects almost one in three adults in the UK, new research has revealed.

Younger people were more likely to have undiagnosed high blood pressure - which is also known as hypertension - according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Two-thirds of men between 16 and 24 years old with hypertension were yet to be diagnosed, it claimed, with 26 percent of women in the same age group with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

Charity Blood Pressure UK urged the public to get a simple health check to reveal their risk of hypertension.

Once it's been spotted, it's relatively easy to manage and could even save your life.

The condition itself rarely has any noticeable symptoms, but there are a few telltale signs if you have severe hypertension (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Blood Pressure UK's Dr Pauline Swift told the BBC: "High blood pressure kills thousands of people every year in the UK and is almost entirely preventable.

"Everyone needs to take control of their health by checking their blood pressure either at home, at a pharmacy or with their practice nurse. This could save your life.

"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."

High blood pressure puts added stress on your blood vessels and vital organs.

It increases the risk of some deadly complications, including heart attacks and strokes.

But, it's not always easy to know whether you're at risk - which is why it often goes undiagnosed and is given the nickname 'the silent killer'.

The condition itself rarely has any noticeable symptoms, but there are a few telltale signs if you have severe hypertension.

Finding blood spots in your eyes, persistent dizziness, and even facial flushing could all be signs of high blood pressure, according to medical website Healthline.

A hypertensive crisis - which is where blood pressure spikes to dangerous levels in a short space of time - could also lead to headaches or nosebleeds, it said.

But there are some easy ways to lower your risk of developing hypertension without even leaving the house.

Simply cutting back on the amount of alcohol in your diet, giving up smoking, and lowering the amount of caffeine you consume could all have a valuable impact on your blood pressure.

As a general rule of thumb, every adult over the age of 40 should get their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.

Speak to a doctor if you're worried about your blood pressure, or for advice on how to lower your chances of developing hypertension.

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