Further information on blood pressure in Southwark

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common long-term condition in Southwark with 27,000 detected cases. This is an important public health issue in Southwark, as people of Black African descent (including Black Caribbeans) are at higher risk of developing the disease, having it at a younger age, and dying from complications such as stroke and end stage renal failure.

A most challenging task
Considering the cultural diversity and high level of deprivation in Southwark, detection and adequate control of hypertension is a most challenging task. However, great effort put in by the primary care clinicians has resulted in detecting more cases and successfully treating larger numbers. 

By March 2006, 90% of the detected patients had had their blood pressure checked within the previous 9 months. Of those, 70% had had their blood pressure controlled adequately.

No room for complacence
These achievements are commendable but still there is no room for complacence.  Through extrapolation of national level data to the age and sex profile of Southwark, we should have 46,790 patients with hypertension. Translating this figure to the local scenario, only 52% of all hypertensives have been detected, 47% have been followed up (within the previous 9 months) and 33% are adequately controlled.