A study of 1.4 million people in England reveals that 59% of those with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition and remain untreated.
Key facts
- •The study analyzed blood pressure data from 1.4 million participants in England collected between 2022 and 2025.
- •High blood pressure is defined in the study as a reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, or the use of medication.
- •Approximately 59% of people with high blood pressure in the study were undiagnosed and untreated.
- •Half of the participants already on medication for the condition failed to reach controlled blood pressure levels.
- •High blood pressure is linked to roughly half of all heart attacks and strokes in the United Kingdom.
A study from the University of Oxford involving 1.4 million people in England found that more than a third of adults suffer from high blood pressure. Researchers discovered that 59% of those affected are unaware of their condition and are not receiving treatment, highlighting significant gaps in detection and management.
By the numbers
Prevalence and Demographics
The research, which analyzed data from the 'Our Future Health' programme between 2022 and 2025, found that prevalence increases significantly with age, ranging from 15% in adults aged 18 to 39 to 71% in those 80 and older. Men were more likely to have the condition than women, with age-adjusted rates of 42% and 29% respectively.
Challenges in Treatment and Diagnosis
The study noted that 50% of participants already taking blood-pressure-lowering medication still recorded readings at or above the 140/90 mmHg threshold. Researchers suggest that current clinical guidelines, which often require multiple measurements or prioritize lifestyle changes before medication, may contribute to these persistent diagnostic and control issues.
Calls for Policy Reform
Lead researcher Wenyu Liu noted that younger adults often fall outside current NHS routine health check programmes, which begin at age 40. Experts, including those from the British Heart Foundation, are calling for updated detection policies and a more active approach to identifying at-risk individuals to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Euronews Health.
