Health scientist Tim Spector has told his followers that investing just £20 could save their life. The professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and founder of the Zoe health app said that his own life changed when he suffered a mini-stroke. He explained that by buying a simple blood pressure checking machine you could spot a potentially life-threatening incident about to happen.
If left untreated, having high blood pressure puts you at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and even death . He said: “This device could save your life. High blood pressure is one of the major preventable causes of death, strokes and heart disease.
In 2011, my life totally changed. I had double vision in the mountains and I found out my blood pressure had suddenly shot up. “This is a major risk factor for heart disease and strokes.
Two thirds of people on medication are not properly controlled cos they don’t know what their blood pressure is doing on a regular basis. So that’s why these machines have proved life saving for many people. And I use it every week to control my blood pressure.
So I know how I’m doing and adjust my medication and also my lifestyle and what I eat. So taking control of your health is really important.” Prof Spector explained that more than 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure but many aren’t aware they have it.
He added: “A mini-stroke in my early 50s completely changed my life, my blood pressure sudden.
