High blood pressure, or hypertension, represents a significant health risk as it increases the likelihood of serious medical emergencies such as vision loss, heart attacks and strokes. However, it usually shows no warning signs before these events occur, making it essential for people to be proactive about getting tested.
Free blood pressure checks are offered to people aged 40 and above, so anyone born in 1986 or before may be eligible. Applicants must also live in England.
People who have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have had their blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past six months may not be eligible for a free test.
Several lifestyle and genetic factors affect blood pressure levels. These include factors beyond one’s control such as getting older, a family history of high blood pressure or being from an ethnicity at higher risk, such as those of Black African heritage.
Additional factors that can raise blood pressure may be within your power to change, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, consuming too much salt, and being overweight or not getting enough exercise.
When your blood pressure is checked at an NHS pharmacy, the results will be shared with you by the pharmacy team. Made up of two figures, a healthy blood pressure reading sits between 90/60mmHg and 130/85mmHg, according to the British Heart Foundation.
The pharmacy team are available to provide advice and support on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If your blood pressure turns out to be high, you may be sent home with a monitor to use before handing it back.
They may also suggest you speak to a GP about your blood pressure if necessary. The BHF recommends getting your blood pressure tested every five years if you are between the ages of 40 and 74.
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your GP may prescribe medication to help reduce it, along with lifestyle changes. These can include beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or diuretics.
Ways to lower blood pressure according to BHF:
