Or, that of the 6 million Australian adults living with high blood pressure,1 1 in 2 don’t realise they have it?2
When left untreated, high blood pressure (BP) heightens your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.3 In Australia, one person has a heart attack or stroke every four minutes.4
One of the key reasons people don’t realise they have high BP is because there are no obvious signs, symptoms, or feelings that indicate anything is wrong.3 This is why high BP is known as ‘the silent killer’ as, when left undetected and untreated, it can prove deadly.5
Fortunately, high BP is often treatable.6 But in order to effectively manage high BP, one first needs to know what their BP is.5
It’s paramount that people get to know their BP (including what’s normal and what’s not) by visiting their local GP or pharmacist for a BP check at least every one to two years.
Proud to support May Measurement Month
At Servier, we have invested in cardiology research and development for more than 50 years, particularly focusing on high blood pressure treatment. We are passionate about increasing community education and awareness around high blood pressure, given heart health is a key therapeutic focus of our organisation. We are proud to be partnering with May Measurement Month (MMM), a global BP screening community awareness campaign founded in 2017 by the International Society of Hypertension.7
According to Ms Chelsea Burchall, Franchise Lead Cardiology at Servier Australia, helping Australians understand their risk level of developing high blood pressure is a key educational focus.
“The May Measurement Month global campaign is a really important, and timely initiative that we are proud to support,”
“Many people have delayed, or not had access to, routine health checks over the last couple of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and so may not have had their BP measured for some time.
“As our age increases, so too does our risk of having high BP. This makes sense due to changing lifestyle or habits as we get older but what many people may not know is how this impacts our risk.
“The dangers of what can happen when high BP is left untreated are well understood and so it’s important that people know, and understand, their risk too.”
– said Ms Burchall
What is the aim of May Measurement Month?
MMM’s aim is to increase the number of people aged 18+ who regularly get their BP checked. A main focus is to arm these people with further education and tools, including diet and lifestyle advice, to reduce their risk of associated, often serious, heart disease related issues.8
Professor Alta Schutte, immediate past President of the International Society of Hypertension and Steering Committee member of MMM, is delighted to partner with Servier Australia to help improve blood pressure awareness and health in the Australian community.
“A blood pressure check is not only one of the easiest and most accessible medical procedures, it is also, perhaps, the most important,”
“In Australia, raised blood pressure, mainly from strokes and heart attacks, is the leading cause of death. It would be so easy to prevent this from happening if everyone simply checks their blood pressure. If not through MMM, at your local pharmacy or doctor.
“If your mum, dad or any other family member has had heart disease or a stroke, now is the time to check your blood pressure.”
– said Professor Schutte.
What exactly is blood pressure and when is it considered too high?
When your heart beats, it pushes blood through your arteries. As the blood flows, it puts pressure on your artery walls. This is called blood pressure.3
When this pressure on the walls of the arteries is higher than normal, this is known as high blood pressure. If your blood pressure remains elevated for too long, it can lead to health problems, such as a heart attack or stroke.3
A ‘normal’ or healthy BP measurement should be determined by a doctor together with the patient’s personal medical history. For most people, a normal BP should sit within the following range:
- The top number on the blood pressure monitor should be below 120 mm Hg; and
- The bottom number on the blood pressure monitor should be below 80 mm Hg. 33
What is the impact of heart disease in Australia?
High BP is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease – a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.1
Heart disease significantly impacts Australians. It represents the underlying cause of one-in-four deaths in Australia, and costs our economy more than AUD 5 million per year (more than any other disease).4
In general, heart disease has a greater impact on older people, Indigenous Australians, and those living in remote or low socio-economic communities.9
Key takeaways
- See your doctor regularly and get your BP checked. If not detected, high blood pressure cannot be treated.
- Consider making changes if necessary to your lifestyle habits. For example, be sure to exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet, and maintain a healthy weight.
- If your doctor has prescribed medication for you, follow their instructions.
- Trust your loved ones. They are best placed to identify the warning signs of heart disease, and to encourage you to comply with your doctor’s advice and treatment
