Mortality and illness JSNA

Hypertension

The prevalence of hypertension in the borough of Rochdale is 14.2 per cent of the population (Quality Outcomes Framework, 2021/22). This is above the national rate of 14 per cent.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure and it refers to persistently elevated blood pressure levels in a person's arteries. High blood pressure rarely has any noticeable symptoms but it puts strain on blood vessels, the heart and other organs.

Hypertension is one of the biggest known risk factors for a number of diseases including:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney disease

What causes hypertension?

Whilst it isn't always clear what causes hypertension, certain behaviours and factors can increase the risk of developing it. These include:

  • Being over the age of 65
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Being of African or Caribbean descent
  • Eating too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables
  • Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine-based drinks
  • Smoking
  • Not doing enough exercise

Statistics on hypertension

  • NHS Digital - the prevalence of hypertension in the borough can be viewed through the Quality Outcomes Framework tool on the NHS Digital site. It also allows you to see data down to the GP Practice level for a number of conditions.
  • Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - High blood pressure visualisation portal - the Healthier Lives visualisation tool highlights hypertension prevalence and treatment across every local authority in England, giving people important information to help them improve their community's health. It includes data for prevalence and treatment, risk, prevention and care.

Guidance and information on hypertension