Today marks World Heart Day, and this year’s theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat”.

At DiiS, we recognise the importance of raising awareness of cardiovascular health and supporting efforts to identify and manage risk factors such as hypertension.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often known as the “silent killer” because it frequently has no symptoms, yet it accounts for around half of all heart disease and stroke deaths worldwide.

Some key facts:

🔹 1 in 4 adults globally are affected by hypertension, representing around 1.4 billion people worldwide.

🔹 Only 1 in 5 people with hypertension have their condition under control.

🔹 In Dorset, approximately 153,500 adults (22.5% of the population aged 18 and over) are living with hypertension.

🔹 The estimated prevalence in Dorset is 30%, meaning a significant number of people may be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

🔹 The risk increases with age, with 57% of Dorset residents aged over 75 living with hypertension.

World Heart Day serves as an important reminder that early detection can save lives. A simple blood pressure check can help identify problems before they lead to serious health complications.

Let’s all take a moment to prioritise our heart health and encourage those around us to do the same. Together, we can help ensure that no one misses a beat.