Professor Graham A MacGregor (1941-2025) 

02 September 2025 (Last updated: 2 Sep 2025 13:00)

Dear BIHS members,

It is with great sadness that we share the news with you that Professor Graham A MacGregor, died peacefully with his family around him on 1st September 2025.

Graham was a physician, hypertension researcher and public health advocate who was recognised internationally for his pioneering work on the relationship between dietary salt, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. He campaigned successive government administrations tirelessly to reduce salt intake at the population level.

Educated at Cambridge University and trained in medicine and nephrology at St Thomas' then Charing Cross Hospital, Graham went on to become Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at St Georges, University of London, before taking up his position as Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Wolfson Institute of Population Health at Queen Mary, University of London.  

Graham was one of the founding members of the British Hypertension Society, now BIHS, and from 1999-2001 he served as President. His presidency broadened the remit of the Society, encouraging it members to engage with public health researchers and policy makers on the health consequences of salt, diet and lifestyle on blood pressure.

Graham MacGregors influence on global public health was profound. In 1996 he founded Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) and in 2005, the international network World Action on Salt and Health (WASH). His leadership saw the UK as a worldwide exemplar for population salt reduction programmes, through pressure on the food industry to reduce the salt content of processed foods including bread. He went on to extend his public health campaigning to sugar and in 2014 he founded Action on Sugar.

In 2001 Graham set up the Blood Pressure Association, now BPUK, because he realised the importance of improving the information available to people living with high blood pressure. As the Chair of the Trustees for BPUK for over 20 years, he worked tirelessly and consistently to advocate for the need for blood pressure checks, through the world renowned ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign.

Graham was known for his uncompromising style, formidable energy and unwavering commitment to improving public health on a global scale. He was a prolific researcher, authoring hundreds of scientific papers as well as the odd low salt cookbook. His early work shaped the understanding of the renin angiotensin system and then his huge body of his work on salt and blood pressure brought about a clearer understanding of the causes of hypertension.

The legacy of Graham MacGregor has been transformative and will be enduring. His worked has shaped our understanding of the causes of high blood pressure, but perhaps more importantly it has shaped public health policy, food and drink industry practice and ultimately the health of millions.

The funeral will be a private family service, with a memorial for colleagues to follow in due course. The timing of this event will be set with the family’s guidance and is likely to coincide with the opening of the MacGregor Centre for Global Blood Pressure Prevention and Control. They look forward to welcoming friends and colleagues from the BIHS, Action on Salt/Sugar, Blood Pressure UK and Queen Mary University of London to join us in honouring Graham’s extraordinary contribution when the time comes.

The BIHS extends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones, his colleagues and friends and the many who were inspired by his work.

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