Millions of adults in England are unaware they have high blood pressure, with NHS treatment leaving half uncontrolled

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 September 2026.

An Oxford University analysis of 1.4 million adults found that 59% of those in England living with high blood pressure do not know they have it, significantly raising their risk of stroke, heart attack and premature death. The condition was nearly 50% more prevalent in men than in women. Researchers caution that NICE guidelines are producing a "leaky cascade of care," leaving large numbers of people both undiagnosed and inadequately treated.

High blood pressure affects more than one-third of all adults in England, yet the majority remain unaware of their condition.

Even among those receiving GP treatment, only half have the condition adequately under control.

Experts warn that NHS checks begin too late, with those in their twenties and thirties already facing elevated risk while going undetected.