Around 60% of Irish men and women aged 45 and older have high blood pressure - a major cause of heart attack and stroke, the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has warned.

The foundation is urging adults to have their blood pressure checked as part of its Irish Heart Week, which runs from today until September 28. This year’s theme is ‘Love Your Heart, Lower Your Blood Pressure’.

The charity emphasised that high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a ‘silent predator’ because it rarely carries any signs or symptoms. In fact, a person can look and feel well even if they have it.

According to a recent survey, 60% of men and women aged over 45 have high blood pressure. Furthermore of those with the condition, 70% still had higher blood pressure levels than recommended, despite being on medication.

“Nearly 10,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases in Ireland each year. Elevated blood pressure is the cause of over half of these deaths. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured,” explained Prof Alice Stanton, chair of the IHF’s Council on Blood Pressure.

She pointed out that if your blood pressure is found to be elevated, it can be effectively  managed through lifestyle changes, such as less salt, less alcohol, weight loss and exercise, or through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

“Reducing your blood pressure will protect you against heart attacks and stroke,” Prof Stanton said.

The key messages for Irish Heart Week are:
-Know your numbers. Ask your doctor or practice nurse to check your blood pressure.
-Eat more fruit and vegetables. Eat less salt and processed foods. If you drink alcohol, keep within the recommended levels.
-Be more physically active every day.
-Aim to be a healthy weight for your height.
-If you are prescribed tablets to lower your blood pressure, make sure to take them as directed.

Free information materials are available by calling the IHF at 1850 364 364, emailing heartweek@irishheart.ie or logging onto the IHF website at…http://www.irishheart.ie

Anyone with queries on managing their blood pressure or heart conditions can also talk to a nurse in confidence on the Irish Heart Foundation’s patient helpline 1890 432 787.

Information on heart health is also available at…http://www.heart.ie