Millions of people urged to have NHS blood pressure checks

Millions of people are being urged to undergo NHS pharmaceutical checks to detect high blood pressure, a condition described as the “silent killer”.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

It is estimated that up to 4.2 million people in England have high blood pressure without knowing it, around a third of all people with the condition.

A new NHS ‘Get Your Blood Pressure Check’ campaign has been launched, supported by health charities, to warn people that the condition often has no symptoms.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said: “High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health consequences.

“The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have a simple, non-invasive blood pressure test.

“Even if you are diagnosed, the good news is that the problem is usually easy to treat.

“Getting your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy is free, quick and you don’t even need an appointment, so don’t hesitate to get your blood pressure checked today – it could save your life.”

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is represented by two numbers.

The “top” number is systolic pressure, which measures the pressure when the heart pushes blood out.

The “bottom” number is diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats.

Generally, ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90 over 60 and 120 over 80.

High blood pressure is considered to be blood pressure of 140 over 90 or higher.

Treatment for high blood pressure includes lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake and increasing physical activity, as well as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. 2 (ARA).

Presenter Gloria Hunniford, who supports the new campaign, said: “This campaign is very close to my heart. My husband and father have both unfortunately suffered several strokes due to high blood pressure. So I know from personal experience how important it is to have your blood pressure checked, even if you feel healthy.

“That’s why I’m so pleased to hear that pharmacies are offering free, rapid blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over. Hopefully, this will really save lives.”

Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said the NHS had expanded its offering to include an extra 2.5 million blood pressure checks at local pharmacies.

“Knowing whether your blood pressure is healthy is very important and this new initiative will help prevent the potentially life-threatening consequences of untreated high blood pressure,” she said.

“I urge people to go to their local pharmacy today and have their blood pressure checked. It could save their lives.”

A poll of more than 2,000 people aged 40 and over in support of the campaign found that 41% of people are unaware that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease.

More than a fifth (22%) were unaware it could cause strokes and heart attacks.

The campaign is supported by charities including the British Heart Foundation, the Stroke Association, Heart Research UK and Blood Pressure UK.

It is estimated that around one in three adults have high blood pressure, and around three in ten people are undiagnosed (4.2 million people in England).

Former footballer Graeme Souness is also supporting the campaign.

He said: “It is very important to have your blood pressure checked. In my experience, high blood pressure doesn’t just affect the ‘usual suspects’, it can and does affect anyone, so you could be at risk without knowing it.

“I have suffered from high blood pressure for years, but managed it through healthy eating, regular fitness and regular blood pressure checks.”

Helen Williams, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England, said: “With thousands of pharmacies across the country now offering free blood pressure checks with healthy living advice, it’s a quick, easy and convenient way to stay in control of your cardiovascular health when and where it suits you.”