Blood pressure epidemic spirals as doctors warn our lifestyle is killing us

Alcohol abuse, smoking, a salt-rich diet and a lack of exercise have caused the condition to soar out of control, warn medical experts today.

Hypertension, the medical term, is now diagnosed even in adolescents and children and if ignored could lead to a "partly irreversible high-risk condition years later", says an editorial in the Lancet journal.

A global epidemic means the number of sufferers worldwide will soar past the billion mark in the next 20 years.

In developed countries such as the UK, the lifetime risk of developing the condition is now more than 90 per cent.

Hypertension is triggered by obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol levels. Poor lifestyle and failing to keep up with effective treatments were identified by the Lancet as major obstacles in tackling the condition.

The editorial says: "Lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet with high processed and fatty foods, and alcohol and tobacco use, are at the heart of this increased disease burden, which is spreading at an alarming rate from developed countries to emerging economies such as India and China."

Although effective and affordable drugs are available, the condition is often poorly controlled because patients stop taking the medication, warns the journal.

"Many patients still believe that hypertension is a disease that can be cured, and stop or reduce medication when blood pressure levels fall.

"Physicians need to convey the message that hypertension is the first, and easily measurable, irreversible sign that many organs in the body are under attack.

"Perhaps this message will make people think more carefully about the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle and give preventative measures a real chance."

A high blood pressure reading exceeds 140/90. The first figure, the systolic pressure, corresponds to the "surge" that occurs with each heart beat.

The second, diastolic, reading is the pressure during the "resting" stage between beats. Generally, the diastolic reading is considered the most important to health.

Also in the Lancet, experts give advice on the best way to treat hypertension.

They recommend a combination of two or more drugs for blood pressure control, plus statins to reduce cholesterol.

Professor Gareth Beevers, medical adviser at the Blood Pressure Association charity, said: "This shows that high blood pressure is a ticking time bomb.

"Modern diet and a lack of exercise are leading to a dramatic rise in cases of hypertension.

"But this is preventable if people of all ages start looking at their lifestyles and start taking the right action to reduce their risk."

British Heart Foundation cardiac nurse Judy O'Sullivan said: "People are often unaware of having high blood pressure until it is picked up during a routine assessment.

"There are usually no symptoms and sadly in some people it's not diagnosed until something as serious, and potentially fatal, as a heart attack or stroke occurs.

"That's why it's vital that people know what their blood pressure is and how they can reduce it if it's high."

People can help to keep their blood pressure under control by taking regular physical activity, reducing the amount of salt in their diet, keeping their weight, particularly around the waistline, within normal limits and some may need to take medication as well.

"Everyone over 40 should talk to their GP or practice nurse about having a full risk assessment for heart and circulatory disease."

Dr Isabel Lee, from the Stroke Association, said: "Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke - that's 150,000 every year. Yet over 40 per cent of these strokes could be prevented by the control of high blood pressure.

"Whilst it is important to get your blood pressure measured regularly, it is equally important that people who are prescribed blood pressure medication continue to take it once their blood pressure is back under control.

"GPs need to ensure that patients are made fully aware of the importance of continuing with their medication."