Campaign aims to flag up causes of the 'silent killer'

A new initiative to combat the problem of high blood pressure has been launched by the Doctor Patient Partnership and the Dairy Council.The DPP is distributing 3 million leaflets to GPs across the country which focus on a low-salt eating plan advocating exercise and a diet centred on low-fat dairy products.

DPP chair Simon Fradd said: 'High blood pressure is known in the medical profession as the silent killer as there are usually no symptoms.Too often the first sign is a catastrophic event such as a stroke.'