01 May 2008

High blood pressure rates continue to rise

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today that new figures show more people across the state are having their blood pressure measured and more instances of high blood pressure are being detected.

Ms Meagher said approximately one in seven Australian adults have high blood pressure which means they are at a greater risk of health problems such stroke and heart failure.

"High blood pressure is present in almost a third of people over 50 and almost half of people over 70," Ms Meagher said.

"Figures compiled by the Clinical Excellence Commission show that in 2005 89.3 per cent of adults over the age of 16 had their blood pressure measured, up slightly from 87 per cent in 1997.

"I am pleased to see that more people are having their blood pressure measured but the results are alarming.

"There has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults with high blood pressure from 16.2 per cent in 1997 to 27.2 per cent in 2005."

People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of:

• Stroke
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Blindness and death.

"Lifestyle is very important in helping to control high blood pressure and the figures are a timely reminder about what you can do to prevent or reduce it," Ms Meagher said.

You can help to reduce or control your blood pressure by taking a few simple steps:

• Be a non-smoker
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Be active every day
• And enjoy healthy eating.

"High blood pressure can be easily detected and I would encourage all adults to continue to be assessed regularly," Ms Meagher said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au