“We all have a responsibility” to play a part in hypertension research, says local participant.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. However, if untreated, it increases the risk of serious problems, such as heart attacks and strokes. World Hypertension Day takes place on 17 May each year to raise awareness of hypertension.
Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it*.
High blood pressure puts extra strain on the blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
Research participant, Simon Alborn, joined a study through the Patient Recruitment Centre (PRC): Leicester looking at a potential new medication to treat hypertension. He explains: "I suffer with hypertension, as have many of the men in my family. I realise how serious this can be and that in many ways it is a hidden killer. If people don't volunteer for research, then nothing changes, no progress is made. All of the common medical procedures and drugs were at one time new and experimental, but without studies into their effectiveness they still wouldn't be available."
Loughborough resident, Ellen Troop enrolled in the same research study. She said: “Without volunteers who are willing to participate in research we are never going to find new treatments and potential cures for common illnesses. We all want to live long, healthy lives but we must all play our part and not just think this is someone else's responsibility. We all have a responsibility. We may be fit and well now but that might not always be the case.”
PRC: Leicester is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. To find out more about PRC: Leicester, visit the website: https://local.nihr.ac.uk/prc/leicester/
If you are interested in taking part in health research, join Leicester's Research Registry for information about research studies sent directly to your inbox. For further information, visit: www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/researchregistry
*Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
