One in three tested had high blood pressure

3:02pm Tuesday 13th March 2007

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An alarming 32 per cent of people who attended a blood pressure testing event in Bradford last week were found to have high blood pressure.

The charity Kidney Research UK held the event in Boots in Forster Square on Thursday which was World Kidney Day.

Of the 119 people who were tested, 32 per cent were referred to their GP following concerns over their blood pressure and other identified risk factors.

The message of World Kidney Day was "Are your kidneys OK?"

Through the blood pressure testing day the charity aimed to promote the early detection and prevention of chronic kidney disease.

Those attending the event in Bradford were able to speak to a qualified nurse and could request a special DVD containing in-depth information on chronic kidney disease.

"High blood pressure can be an early sign of kidney disease, but once the problem is known the disease can be slowed down and even stopped by taking medication and making lifestyle changes," said Neerja Jain, a former renal nurse and project manager of Kidney Research UK's at-risk programme ABLE'.

"Being aware of a problem now could save you from a life-time of this devastating and debilitating disease," she added.

For a copy of the DVD visit www.kidneyresearchuk.og