The above-average blood-pressure rating achieve by people in Bradford and the rest of West Yorkshire in a mass testing nationally of a quarter of a million volunteers is rather worrying. It is almost certainly a major contributory factor to the high incidence of heart disease in the area.
According to the Blood Pressure Association, which carried out the tests during September, uncontrolled high blood pressure is the biggest cause of death and disability through the strokes and heart attacks it causes. Yet it is preventable, usually through changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise though in some cases medication may be necessary.
Unfortunately many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure either until they have it tested (as these volunteers did) or until they encounter a major health crisis - by which time, although it might not be too late, it will be a harder job to repair the damage it has caused.
The experts' view is that high blood pressure can be avoided by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, avoiding salt, taking exercise and drinking alcohol only in moderation. But even those who follow that sort of regime would be unwise to be complacent.
Dr Mike Mead of the Blood Pressure Association has urged everyone not only to lead a sounder lifestyle but also to have their blood pressure checked regularly. It is sound advice which, if followed by all Bradfordians, would surely do a lot to help the district become a healthier place, reducing both the misery of heart disease and the financial cost of treating it.
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