The content on this page was current at the time of publication — please check the date/time stamp on this page.

• Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition where the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood is too high. nhsinform.scot
• There are several types, but the two most common are:
  • Type 1 diabetes — where the body does not produce insulin.
  • Type 2 diabetes — where the body does not use insulin properly, or doesn’t make enough. nhsinform.scot
• There is also pre-diabetes (sometimes called non-diabetic hyperglycaemia) — this is when blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. nhsinform.scot

• According to Diabetes UK, there are 4.6 million people in the UK with a diagnosis of diabetes, and millions more with pre-diabetes. Diabetes UK
  
• About 90% of diagnosed diabetes in the UK is Type 2; around 8% is Type 1, and the remaining ~2% are other, less common types. Diabetes UK
  
• In England, there’s a significant number of people who are undiagnosed — an ONS analysis suggests that around 30% of people with Type 2 diabetes are not aware they have it. Diabetes UK
  
• For pre-diabetes, NHS data shows hundreds of thousands more people are at risk: in 2023, over half a million more people in England were identified as pre-diabetic. NHS England

Diagnosis

• People are usually diagnosed via blood tests, such as HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar over several months), or fasting glucose tests.
• For pre-diabetes, blood tests and risk assessments by GPs help identify people at risk.

Lifestyle Changes

• Managing or preventing Type 2 diabetes often starts with lifestyle: healthy eating, weight loss, physical activity, and reducing sugar intake.
• The NHS offers structured programmes (like the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme) to support people at high risk. NHS England

Medication

• Depending on type and severity, people with diabetes may be prescribed insulin (Type 1) or medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or newer agents (Type 2) to control blood sugar.

Monitoring & Care

• People with diabetes typically have regular reviews with their GP or diabetes specialist.
• They receive a set of “care processes” each year: blood sugar check, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function, foot checks, eye screening etc. According to the National Diabetes Audit, uptake of these care checks has improved over time. GOV.UK
• Annual diabetic eye screening is offered via the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to detect diabetic retinopathy.

AI is being used in several research and pilot projects across the UK to improve how diabetes is detected, monitored, and managed. Here are some examples:

1. Predicting Risk from ECGs
   • A new AI tool called AIRE-DM (developed by Imperial College) analyses ECG (heart) readings from routine scans to detect subtle changes that might indicate a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, up to 10-13 years in advance. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust+1
   • Early detection like this could allow people to make lifestyle changes before the disease develops or progresses.
     
     
2. Diabetic Eye Disease (Retinopathy) Screening
   • AI systems such as EyeArt (by Eyenuk) can automatically analyse retinal (eye) images for signs of diabetic retinopathy — the algorithm is evaluated to be safe and cost-effective per the UK National Screening Committee. eyenuk.com
   • A newer model from King’s College London uses NHS retinal imaging data to predict who is at high risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy up to 3 years ahead, potentially allowing for more personalised eye screening schedules. King's College London
   • NICE (UK) has also reviewed AI technologies (EyeArt, RetinaLyze, Retmarker) for diabetic retinopathy screening, noting their potential to reduce manual workload. NICE
      
3. Predicting Kidney Disease via Eye Images
   • Research from the University of Dundee (UK) shows AI can analyse routine diabetic eye screening photos (retinal images) to predict future risk of kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes, even before traditional kidney tests flag problems. Diabetes UK
     ​ 
4. Risk Prediction Models Using Machine Learning
   • Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers have built a prediction model for 10-year risk of Type 2 diabetes that only needs information that can be collected via a smartphone. arXiv
   • Another automated machine-learning framework (AutoPrognosis 2.0) used UK Biobank data to build a risk score for diabetes that may outperform some traditional clinical risk scores. arXiv

Here are some of the promising ways AI could change diabetes care in the UK in the coming years:

1. Very Early Risk Identification
   • AI tools that predict diabetes years before onset (e.g., from ECGs) could help people take preventive action long before they develop high blood sugar.
   • Combined with risk models, AI could personalise lifestyle advice based on an individual’s unique risk profile.
      
     
2. Individualised Eye Screening
   • Rather than everyone having the same annual eye scan, AI risk models could tailor screening intervals: people at low risk might need less frequent checks, while high-risk individuals could be seen sooner.
   • This would optimise NHS resources and reduce patient burden.
      
     
3. Early Detection of Complications
   • Using retinal images to predict kidney disease is a powerful example. In future, similar AI tools might predict other diabetic complications, like cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, or foot problems, enabling earlier intervention.
      
     
4. Continuous Monitoring Through Wearables
   • AI could be integrated with wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches or glucose monitors) to provide real-time risk alerts or trend warnings (such as rising glucose) — this could support both people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
      
     
5. Decision Support for Clinicians
   • AI could help clinicians decide which medications or treatment strategies might be most effective based on a patient’s risk profile, history, and predicted trajectories.
     ​ 
     
6. Precision Medicine
   • By combining genetic data, imaging (such as retinal scans), and clinical data, AI could help stratify people into subtypes of diabetes. This might guide more precise treatment (which drug, what dose, when to intensify).

• Accuracy and Bias: AI models must be trained and validated on diverse UK populations; otherwise they could underperform for some demographic groups.
   
  
• Regulation and Safety: Not all AI tools are fully approved or deployed; they need rigorous clinical trials and regulatory oversight.
   
  
• Data Privacy: Using sensitive health data (ECG, retinal scans, genomic data) requires strong data protection, secure storage, and patient consent.
   
  
• Integration into NHS: Large-scale implementation can be difficult — tools need to integrate with NHS systems, workflows, and budgets.
  ​ 
  
• Over-reliance: Clinicians must be careful not to rely solely on AI predictions — AI should support, not replace, clinical judgement.

• Diabetes is common in the UK, especially Type 2, and many people remain undiagnosed.
• Traditional care involves blood tests, regular monitoring, lifestyle change, and treatment.
• AI is already being used in research and pilot projects — for example, to predict diabetes risk from ECG, to screen for eye disease, and even to forecast kidney disease from retinal images.
• In the future, AI could enable earlier detection, more personalised screening, better monitoring, and smarter treatment decisions.
• But for these benefits to become widespread, challenges around accuracy, regulation, data protection, and NHS integration must be addressed.

• NHS Inform – About diabetes nhsinform.scot
  
• Office for National Statistics / Diabetes UK – undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes Diabetes UK
  
• NHS England – people at risk of Type 2 diabetes (pre-diabetes figures) NHS England
  
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – AI prediction of Type 2 diabetes from ECGs Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
  
• NICE Medtech Innovation Briefing – AI in diabetic retinopathy screening NICE
  
• King’s College London – AI model for predicting diabetic retinopathy risk King's College London
  
• Diabetes UK / University of Dundee – AI predicting kidney disease from eye images Diabetes UK
  
• UK Biobank / Machine Learning risk model for Type 2 diabetes arXiv
  
• AutoPrognosis 2.0 – prognostic modelling for diabetes arXiv
  

The content on this page was current at the time of publication — please check the date/time stamp on this page.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when the pressure of the blood flowing through your arteries is consistently too high. Blood pressure is written as two numbers:

• Systolic pressure (the top number) - pressure when the heart beats.
• Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) - pressure when the heart relaxes.

In the UK, high blood pressure is usually diagnosed when readings are 140/90 mmHg or above in a clinic, or 135/85 mmHg or above when measured at home.
Reference: NHS — High blood pressure (hypertension)

Hypertension often has no symptoms, but it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other serious conditions.
Reference: British Heart Foundation — High blood pressure

Around one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure.
Reference: Blood Pressure UK — Blood pressure facts and figures
​
In England, roughly 29% of adults with high blood pressure are undiagnosed, meaning millions of people are unaware they have it.
Reference: Office for National Statistics — Risk factors for undiagnosed high blood pressure (2015–2019)

1. Measuring and Diagnosing
Blood pressure is checked in GP surgeries, pharmacies or during NHS Health Checks. When needed, doctors may use ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) — a device you wear for 24 hours.
Reference: NHS — How high blood pressure is diagnosed

2. Lifestyle ChangesPeople are usually advised to:

• Reduce salt intake
• Stay active
• Achieve a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol
• Stop smoking

These steps can significantly lower blood pressure.
Reference: NHS — Prevention of high blood pressure

3. Medication
If lifestyle changes don’t fully control blood pressure, medicines such as ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers or diuretics may be prescribed.
Reference: NICE Guidelines — Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management

4. Ongoing Monitoring
​Regular reviews with a GP or nurse help ensure blood pressure remains within a safe target range tailored to the individual.
Reference: NHS — Treatment for high blood pressure

AI is not yet routine NHS practice for hypertension, but UK-based research is showing promising uses.

​1. Predicting Hypertension from ECG Results
Researchers at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust have developed an AI system that analyses ECG (heart tracing) results to predict the risk of developing high blood pressure or related complications.
Reference: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust — AI model predicts high blood pressure

2. Analysing Eye Images to Estimate Blood Pressure
A deep-learning tool trained on UK Biobank retinal images has shown it can estimate systolic blood pressure and predict future cardiovascular risk.
Reference: UK Biobank — AI analysis of retinal images and blood pressure

3. Brain Imaging and Machine Learning
A UK Biobank study found that machine-learning models can use brain imaging data to identify patterns linked with current and future blood pressure levels.
Reference: Cardiovascular Research (Oxford University Press) — Brain signatures of blood pressure

4. Wearable Devices Combined with AI
​UK research teams are developing machine-learning models that estimate blood pressure using signals from smart wristbands and wearable sensors.
Reference: UK Biobank — Blood pressure estimation using smart devices

​1. Earlier Detection
AI tools could screen large groups of people using ECGs, eye images or wearable data to identify those at risk sooner — helping reduce the number of undiagnosed cases.

2. More Personalised Care
AI could combine genetic information, imaging and health history to predict who is most likely to develop complications such as stroke or heart disease, supporting more tailored treatment plans.

3. Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring
Future wearable devices using AI may track blood pressure more accurately throughout the day, giving patients and doctors better insight into real-time changes.

4. Better Self-Management Tools
AI-enabled apps may offer personalised advice on diet, activity and lifestyle based on an individual’s trends and risk profile.
​
5. Clinical Decision Support
​AI may assist GPs by suggesting which medicines are most likely to work for a particular patient or by highlighting early signs of deterioration.

References

• NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension).
• British Heart Foundation. High blood pressure information.
• Blood Pressure UK. Blood pressure facts and figures.
• Office for National Statistics. Risk factors for undiagnosed high blood pressure in England (2015–2019).
• NICE Guideline NG136. Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management.
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. AI model predicts high blood pressure from ECGs.
• UK Biobank. AI analysis of retinal images relates to blood pressure.
• Cardiovascular Research (Oxford). Functional brain connectivity and blood pressure.
• UK Biobank. Blood pressure estimation research using smart wristbands.

At You ID Me, we know that many people are thinking about how companies use artificial intelligence (AI) and what it means for their personal information. This is especially important when it comes to emergency medical data, where accuracy and reliability can make a real difference.
​ 
This short guide explains exactly how we use AI – and, just as importantly, how we don’t use it.

Your emergency medical profile is created by you, in your own words.
 
When a paramedic or first responder scans your You ID Me product, they see exactly the information you provided, exactly as you entered it.
​ 
We do not use any form of AI to interpret, rewrite, summarise or modify your medical details.
This is a deliberate choice.

• AI can sometimes make mistakes or “hallucinate”, which means it may generate information that isn’t correct.
• In an emergency, even small inaccuracies could be dangerous.
• By avoiding AI in this part of our system, we ensure there is zero margin for AI-generated errors.

This means your emergency information remains accurate, reliable and fully under your control.

Although your emergency data is never handled by AI, we use helpful AI tools in two specific, safe areas:
 
1. Speak4Me (Text-to-Speech)
Our Speak4Me feature reads parts of your medical profile aloud for a first responder. To do this, we use Google’s text-to-speech technology.

• It only reads the exact words you have written.
• It does not analyse, change or add to your information.
• It simply converts text to a clear spoken voice.

This can help a responder quickly understand essential details if you’re unable to communicate.

2. Website Chatbot
We also use a learning chatbot on our website.

• It is used only for general customer questions and support.
• It never has access to your emergency profile or personal medical information.
• It cannot change or influence your stored details in any way.

This tool is simply there to help you find answers more quickly when browsing our site.

We use AI only where it is safe, appropriate and useful — and never where it could interfere with your emergency information.

Your safety and privacy come first, and the data a paramedic or first responder sees will always be:

• exactly what you entered,
• unchanged, and
• free from AI interpretation.

If you have any questions about how we handle your information, we’re always happy to help.

We're thrilled to announce something exciting that many of you have been waiting for...

🎉 The You ID Me Affiliate Scheme is now live!

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a new fan of what we do, this is your chance to become a key part of the You ID Me movement — and earn while doing it.

It’s a simple way for you to earn commission by recommending our life-saving medical ID products to your network.
​
You already know how powerful and reassuring You ID Me can be for people living with medical conditions, disabilities, or mental health challenges. Now, you can be the one who introduces it to others — and earn up to 22% commission every time someone purchases through your affiliate code.

No fees. No targets. No hassle. Just share and earn.

1. Register your interest in a single click!
2. Receive your personal affiliate code
3. Share your unique link with friends, family, or followers, have parties, do presentations or whatever you want to make referrals and sales
4. Get paid every time someone makes a purchase using your link

​It’s that simple.

Our community has always been at the heart of everything we do. Now, we’re giving back by helping you turn your passion into purpose — and a potential income stream.
As Megan from Devon said:
​
“You ID Me products speak for themselves. Every time my friends see the system in action, they immediately want one—for themselves or for someone they care about.”

Click below to register your interest and be one of the first to start earning:

👉 Register for the Affiliate Scheme
​
Let’s work together to spread safety, save lives — and create new earning opportunities along the way.

See you on the inside!
– The You ID Me Team

When launching a new product, the last thing you expect is to find your company director sprawled on the floor, pretending to be unconscious. But that’s exactly what happened when we shot the images for our brand-new Medical Alert Walking Sticks—and let’s just say, Lee Cunningham was not thrilled about his starring role.

​To showcase the importance of our innovative walking sticks, we needed authentic imagery. A key selling point is that if a user collapses, their walking stick holds vital medical information and emergency contact details. So, naturally, we needed someone to collapse. Enter Lee—volunteered (by us) for the job.

Lying flat in the emergency position, Lee gamely posed as incoherent and unresponsive. But staying motionless for the perfect shot? Not so easy. “I’d rather be supine on a couch,” he muttered, growing increasingly irritable as we fine-tuned the setup.

​The response? “People rarely collapse on a couch, this needs to look real.” Cue more grumbling and a fair bit of laughter as he resisted the urge to spring to his feet.

While Lee’s patience ran thin, our excitement for this product only grew. The You ID Me Medical Alert Walking Stick is a lifesaver for those with medical conditions, mobility issues, or at risk of falls.

Key Features & Benefits:
✔ Instant emergency ID – A discreet, waterproof medical ID tag on the stick provides first responders with critical information.

✔ You ID Me Profile Access – Scanning the QR code or entering the unique ID online unlocks vital medical details and emergency contacts.

✔ High-quality, adjustable design – Lightweight, durable, and stylish, these sticks are built for comfort and safety.
​
✔ Peace of mind – Ideal for seniors, those with conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or heart issues, and anyone who values extra security when out and about.

Despite the grumbles, Lee took one for the team - and we now have the perfect images to showcase how our Medical Alert Walking Sticks can make a real difference. Check them out and get yours today: You ID Me Medical Alert Walking Sticks.

New Walking Stick Innovation Could Save Lives of Vulnerable Users
A groundbreaking new walking stick, integrating an advanced emergency medical ID and alert system, has been launched by UK entrepreneur Lee Cunningham. This innovative product is set to provide peace of mind for individuals with medical conditions, mobility challenges, and their loved ones.

The walking stick features laser-engraved emergency medical symbols, a unique ID number, and a QR code linking directly to the user’s online profile. This profile can store critical information such as medical conditions, medications, allergies, blood type, and emergency contact details. In the event of a fall or emergency, first responders can instantly access this vital information, while automatic alerts notify designated emergency contacts.

About a week ago, I faced an unexpected and life-changing ordeal. As part of my daily routine, I went for a morning swim - a ritual I’ve done countless times without issue. But that day, things took a sharp turn. After finishing my swim, my back seized up in excruciating pain, completely out of the blue. There was no warning, no indication this would happen. One moment I was fine, and the next, I was flat on the floor, unable to move. 

The pain was unbearable. A fellow swimmer had to help me get dressed, and I was wheeled out to my car and driven home. Despite having dealt with back pain in the past, this was on a completely different level. Calling 111 resulted in an ambulance crew arriving to administer stronger pain relief, and a later visit to A&E introduced me to even more powerful medications, including diazepam. 

I was left unable to walk. My wife had to rush out to buy me a walking stick, which quickly became a lifeline. But as I hobbled around the workshop, waiting for the pain to ease, inspiration struck - a moment of clarity amid the chaos.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is planning to talk about changing some rules about work and health. He wants to change who decides if someone is too sick to work, from doctors to other health experts.

Right now, many people in the UK are not working because they are sick. The Labour Party, another group in the government, thinks that the Prime Minister's team isn't coming up with new ideas and isn't doing enough to help people stay healthy and find jobs.

The Prime Minister will say in his speech that we should look at what sick people can do at work, not just what they can't do. He thinks we shouldn't make a big deal out of everyday problems and say they are medical issues.

He also plans to ask doctors, workers, and people who have been sick what they think about the current rules and how these can be improved.

Many people haven't been able to work because they are long-term sick, especially with problems related to how they feel, like being very sad or stressed. Last year, doctors said that many people were not fit for work, and sometimes they kept saying it without giving extra advice.

A professor from the Royal College of GPs, a group for doctors, said doctors often talk to their patients and give advice about being sick, but they are open to letting other experts handle it.

This all comes after a government person, Mel Stride, said sometimes normal life problems are wrongly labeled as medical conditions, which stops people from working. He believes having a job can help people feel better.

Other politicians from different parties say the Prime Minister needs to do more to fix health services so people can get better and work instead of making small changes that don’t help much. They want to make sure everyone can see a doctor when they need to and get better health care.

In today's fast-paced world, emergencies can strike at any moment, catching us off guard and leaving us vulnerable. Whether it's a sudden health crisis, a car accident, or any other unforeseen event, having immediate access to vital information can make all the difference. That's where Speak4me by You ID Me steps in, revolutionizing how we handle emergencies and ensuring our well-being is prioritized.

Speak4me, a feature offered by You ID Me, is a cutting-edge solution designed to assist individuals during emergencies when they may be unable to communicate effectively. This innovative tool empowers users by providing crucial information to first responders and medical professionals, ensuring prompt and accurate assistance when it matters most.

One of the standout features of Speak4me is its simplicity and ease of use. By simply activating the feature on their You ID Me profile, users can input essential details such as medical conditions, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts. This information is securely stored and can be accessed by first responders in the event of an emergency.

But what sets Speak4me apart is its ability to speak for the user when they may be unable to do so themselves. By activating the feature, users grant permission for their critical information to be accessed and communicated verbally through the You ID Me platform. This verbal transmission can be invaluable in situations where the user is unconscious, disoriented, or unable to communicate effectively.

The process of activating Speak4me is straightforward, as outlined on the You ID Me website. Users simply need to follow a few simple steps to ensure their profile is set up correctly and the feature is ready for use. From there, they can have peace of mind knowing that their important information is readily available in case of an emergency.

Speak4me is not just a tool for individuals—it's a game-changer for families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. By leveraging technology to streamline emergency communication, Speak4me reduces the risk of misunderstandings, delays in treatment, and potentially life-threatening situations.

Imagine a scenario where a person with a severe allergy experiences an anaphylactic reaction while alone. With Speak4me activated on their You ID Me profile, emergency responders - once they arrive and access the patient's emergency ID profile - can quickly access information about their condition, including specific allergies and emergency contacts. This rapid access to critical data could potentially mean the difference between life and death.

Speak4me by You ID Me is a game-changer for safety, providing individuals with a lifeline during emergencies when they need it most. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, Speak4me empowers users to take even more control of their health and well-being.