Fewer than half of us know what hypertension is, despite it being a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, research has revealed.
One in three Britons have high blood pressure, or hypertension as it is known medically, which dramatically raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and dementia.
However, most of the 20,000 people questioned were unaware of the condition.
Hypertension is when the pressure of blood pushing against the heart walls is consistently too high, damaging arteries and restricting blood flow.
It causes no symptoms, so many go undiagnosed until serious damage is done.
Yet, if it is caught early, harm is preventable.
The research, carried out by Hilo, which makes a blood pressure monitor, also found that nearly 40 per cent of young adults mistakenly believe that the condition has obvious symptoms.
Rates are rising among the young and nearly 170,000 16- to 24-year-olds are estimated to be living with undiagnosed hypertension.
Hypertension is when the pressure of blood pushing against the heart walls is consistently too high, damaging arteries and restricting blood flow
Rates are rising among the young and nearly 170,000 16- to 24-year-olds are estimated to be living with undiagnosed hypertension
Of the 16million UK adults estimated to have high blood pressure, up to half are not receiving effective treatment, the British Heart Foundation says. And as many as five million are believed to be undiagnosed.
Lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake, stopping smoking and eating a Mediterranean diet can help to treat the condition.
Dr Zoe Williams, a London GP, said: ‘Hypertension isn’t something to be scared of – it’s something to be aware of. When people know their numbers, they are enabled to make healthier choices.
‘If we can improve awareness in all communities and help people to take those small, everyday steps earlier, we can prevent a huge amount of heart disease before it ever starts.’