Health guru Tim Spector has a life-saving tip for spending just £20. The King's College London professor and Zoe health app pioneer shared how a mini-stroke dramatically shifted his perspective on health. He said that everyone should get a blood pressure monitor, highlighting its potential to prevent serious health crises.
Spector spoke about his own scare with high blood pressure during a mountain trip in 2011, which led to sudden double vision. He emphasized the importance of monitoring blood pressure regularly, noting that it's crucial for managing risks associated with heart disease and strokes and spotting the early signs of problems.
He said in a video on Instagram: "This device could save your life. High blood pressure is one of the major preventable causes of death, strokes and heart disease. In 2011, my life totally changed. I had double vision in the mountains and I found out my blood pressure had suddenly shot up."
Highlighting the undermanagement of blood pressure in those on medication, he added: "This is a major risk factor for heart disease and strokes. Two-thirds of people on medication are not properly controlled cos they don't know what their blood pressure is doing on a regular basis. So that's why these machines have proved life-saving for many people. And I use it every week to control my blood pressure. So I know how I'm doing and adjust my medication and also my lifestyle and what I eat. So taking control of your health is really important.", reports Wales Online.
Prof Spector revealed that over a quarter of UK adults suffer from high blood pressure, often without realising it. He shared his personal health scare: "A mini-stroke in my early 50s completely changed my life, my blood pressure suddenly shot up and I went on medication to control my blood pressure, it was a real wake-up call to reassess my health and is one of the main reasons I began researching the gut microbiome. Regularly checking my blood pressure at home has been really useful to ensure my hypertension is properly controlled both through the correct medication and a number of lifestyle changes."
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The British Heart Foundation highlighted the dangers of untreated high blood pressure, noting that it causes arteries to become stiff or narrow, which can lead to the buildup of fatty material. The foundation stated: "This narrowing makes it easier for fatty material (atheroma) to build up. This narrowing and damage to the arteries lining your heart or brain could trigger a life-threatening heart attack or stroke. Around 50% of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure. If left untreated, high blood pressure can also lead to complications such as kidney failure, heart failure, problems with your sight, vascular dementia."
For more information from BHF click here.
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