Skip the main content if you do not want to read it as the next section.
During Know your Numbers! Week 2009:
Across the UK, only 22% of people tested had an 'optimal' reading. This means 78% of those tested should be taking positive action to lower their blood pressure.
34% had high blood pressure readings (at least 140/90mmHg) which needed further investigation. 71% did not know their blood pressure numbers.
Even 'average' readings across England, Wales and Northern Ireland
fell into the 'high normal' definition (130/85 - 139/89mmHg). This has
serious implications for the future health of the population. For
example, someone with a BP of 135/85mmHg is twice as likely to have a
stroke or develop heart disease as someone with an optimal BP.
Results for Grampian are as follows:
| Area | No. of readings returned | % High reading | % High normal reading | % Unaware of bp numbers | Mean systolic | Mean diastolic |
| Scotland | 1,052 | 29 | 20 | 77 | 129 | 80 |
| Aberdeenshire | 172 | 16 | 14 | 64 | 124 | 79 |
