Drivers of black taxi cabs may have 'the Knowledge' but 75 per cent of them do not know their most vital statistics - their blood pressure numbers, according to new research from two blood charities.

The 'Know your Numbers!' Survey, conducted by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association in conjunction with Scottish charity the High Blood Pressure Foundation, found that only a quarter of black cab taxi drivers know their blood pressure numbers, yet 61 per cent of those tested were found to have high blood pressure readings (at or above 140/90m mHg).

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the major cause of stokes and heart attacks, and can also lead to dementia and kidney problems.

The findings, being lauched at the start of the nation's biggest blood pressure event, Know your Numbers! Week (7-13 September) also revealed an England/Scotland divide when it comes to blood pressure health among cab drivers, with Scotland faring worst.

The research, carried out among black cab taxi drivers in London and Edinburgh, showed that:

- 70 per cent of cabbies in Scotland had high blood pressure readings compared with 52 per cent of their counterparts in England
- Twice as many cabbies in Scotland (56 per cent) than in England (27 per cent) said they ate convenience foods like pasties, crisps or chocolate bars either every day or several times a week
- Half of cabbies in Scotland (51 per cent) admitted to ‘never' thinking about the salt they add to food or checking food labels for salt content, compared with a fifth (19 per cent) of their counterparts in England.

Mike Rich, Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: "Black cab taxi drivers have The Knowledge when it comes to a city's streets, but our research has shown that this unfortunately doesn't translate into knowing their most vital health statistics - their blood pressure numbers.  

"There does appear to be a blood pressure divide between the cabbies we tested in England and Scotland, and this may be down to their respective diets and lifestyles. Although Scotland fared worse, the fact that around half of the London cabbies had high readings is still cause for concern.

"High blood pressure is the major cause of strokes and heart attacks, but millions of lives could be saved if more people knew their blood pressure numbers and took action to lower them.

"We hope that our research will encourage cabbies, and all adults across the UK, to have a free blood pressure check during Know your Numbers! Week and take that first step towards lifelong healthy blood pressure."

Susan Inch, Director of the High Blood Pressure Foundation, said: "It's worrying to see that nearly three quarters of the cabbies we tested here in Scotland had high blood pressure readings. It's not surprising given that 50 per cent of them admitted to not watching their salt intake - too much salt is known to raise blood pressure - and regularly eating high fat convenience foods. The good news is that they now know their blood pressure numbers and how to lower them. We hope that many others will be as willing as the cabbies we tested to take the opportunity to have a free check during Know your Numbers! Week."

Around 1,500 Pressure Stations will be offering free blood pressure checks throughout the UK during the Blood Pressure Association's Know your Numbers! Week (7-13 September). To find your nearest venue visit www.bpassoc.org/kyn

Published on: 11/9/2009

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