Credit crunch hits the nation's long-term health

The credit crunch is taking a dramatic toll on the nation's health, diet and fitness and could have serious long-term health implications, according to a new report by Friends Provident and UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, at the start of Know Your Numbers Week; the UK's biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.

Almost 29 million people - that's nearly two thirds of the nation - feel more stressed, less fit and healthy, and more prone to illness than they did three years ago. And according to the Britain Under Pressure report, credit crunch concerns mean more than one in three people (37 per cent) are worrying more, one in five (19 per cent) are sleeping less and 15 per cent are working longer hours.

According to the report, diet and exercise are losing out to the credit crunch, with more than half (56 per cent) of the UK buying cheaper food as a cost cutting measure, 15 per cent have cut spending on fresh fruit and vegetables, and almost a quarter (21 per cent) of adults having cut back on gym use this year, many specifically because of the economic situation. The dual effect on lifestyles of the credit crunch and lack of concern over long term health is in danger of creating a blood pressure ‘ticking time bomb', warns the Blood Pressure Association.

Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident, said: "Our research found that 87 per cent of people consider their health to be important to them, but this isn't reflected in how they live, with four out of five people of people not doing enough to look after their body and health. The credit crunch appears to be having serious ramifications. Lifestyle changes - poor diet and lack of exercise in particular - can have a negative effect on their blood pressure and consequently their long-term health."

The Britain Under Pressure Report found:

Many respondents are reliant on take-aways and ready meals with more than three quarters (77 per cent) of adults regularly buying ready meals and/or ordering takeaways and it is women (80 per cent) rather than men (72 per cent) leading this trend

Seven per cent admit they have already started drinking more alcohol than before the crunch, and nine per cent anticipate consuming more alcohol during the next six months

Six per cent admit they have started smoking more because of economic worries

42 per cent never, or hardly ever, monitor the salt content of their food

One in three adults (33 per cent) never or rarely eats the recommended amount of fruit or vegetables

According to the Blood Pressure Association, eating too many ready meals and convenience foods, which are high in salt and fat, not taking enough exercise and drinking too much alcohol all have a major effect on blood pressure.

The report found that while most people (80 per cent) in the UK are aware that high blood pressure can be life threatening or lead to health complaints, half (50 per cent) of UK adults admit they do absolutely nothing to keep blood pressure at healthy levels. And almost one in five (18 per cent) say they just get on with living their lives without much thought to their health.

Professor Graham Macgregor, Chairman of the Blood Pressure Association and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at St George's Hospital, Tooting, said: "It's clear that Britons are under pressure. In addition to leading more unhealthy lifestyles, which can cause high blood pressure, almost half (47 per cent) haven't checked their blood pressure in the last year. This is all putting the nation at serious risk of a blood pressure ‘time bomb'. Around 16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure which, uncontrolled and undetected, leads to the nation's biggest killers; strokes, heart attacks and heart failure. This is preventable, but only if people start taking the right action now.

"The Blood Pressure Association is urging all adults to take control and reduce their risk of the silent killer by having a free blood pressure check during Know your Numbers Week. It's quick, free and painless and could save your life."