Almost a fifth of Rutland's population has high blood pressure according to the latest data collected by local GPs. 

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, followed by obesity and then non-diabetic hypoglycaemia are the most prevalent conditions in the county. 

Rutland has a considerable pensioner population, with 10,696 of the 40,643 population in 2023 over the age of 65.  

According to the GP data, which has been collated in the county council's public health team's Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), the number of people diagnosed with the condition has increased since 2021 when the NHS introduced the Blood Pressure Check Service in pharmacies.  

The report says: "Hypertension was the most prevalent condition across the registered population at Rutland's GPs. In 2023/24 there were 8,113 people on GP hypertension registers, 19.0% of the registered population. This was significantly higher than the England prevalence of 14.8%. This was higher than the prevalence reported for 2020/21 in the 2022 Rutland PNA, when 17.3% of the registered population in Rutland were on GP hypertension registers and the value for England was 13.9%." 

The report shows that in 2021 just one pharmacy provided the blood pressure check service but now all six of the county's pharmacies offer the service. 

The report says: "When looking at the annual data, activity under this service in pharmacies in Rutland has increased year on year – in 2022/23 there were 1,130 blood pressure consultations, in 2023/24 there were 2,861 consultations and so far in 2024/25 [by Quarter 3] there have been 3,580 consultations." 

Obesity is the second highest condition in Rutland. 

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The report says: "In 2023/24 there were 4,387 people on GP obesity registers, 12.8% of the registered population. This was not significantly different to the England prevalence of 12.8%." 

In 2023/24, there were 4,080 people aged 18 years and over on GP non-diabetic hyperglycaemia registers, 11.9% of the registered population aged 18 years and over. This was significantly higher than the England prevalence of 8.2%. This was higher than the prevalence reported for 2020/21 in the 2022 Rutland PNA, when 10.0% of the registered population aged 18 and over in Rutland were on GP non-diabetic hyperglycaemia registers and the value for England was 5.3%." 

Rutland has a life expectancy 'significantly better' than the national average. The average Rutland man lives to 81.6 years, and a Rutland woman is expected to live until 85.1 years. 

The pharmaceutical needs assessment will be discussed by the county's health and wellbeing board next week.