GET CHECKED NOW
Are you one of the ‘missing millions’? Powerful video outlines hunt for those at risk of symptomless ‘silent killer’
Public Health minister Andrea Leadsom urged the public to go to pharmacies for the quick procedure
MILLIONS of people are being urged to get their blood pressure checked as part of a new NHS campaign.
High blood pressure has been called a “silent killer” and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
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Up to 4.2million people in England are thought to have the condition without knowing it.
The Get Your Blood Pressure Checked campaign encourages adults over 40 to have the check done at their local pharmacy — free of charge, without an appointment.
It is being supported by Graeme Souness, a TV pundit and former footballer who is affected by high blood pressure and had a heart attack, and TV presenter and broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, whose dad and husband have suffered strokes.
The NHS has expanded its offering to include 2.5million more tests within pharmacies.
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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 get a simple, non-invasive blood pressure test.
“Even if you are diagnosed, the good news is that it's usually easily treatable.
“Getting your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy is free, quick and you don't even need an appointment, so please go for a check today - it could save your life.”
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You are considered to have high blood pressure — known medically as hypertension — if your reading is 140/90mmHg or more when taken by a doctor.
The condition causes around 75,000 deaths a year and is known to affect at least one in three Brits.
What is high blood pressure and what is a normal reading?
It can increase your risks of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke, as well as aneurysms, kidney disease and dementia.
Public Health minister Andrea Leadsom said: “Knowing if you have a healthy blood pressure is so important and this new drive will help to prevent the potentially fatal consequences of untreated high blood pressure.
“I urge people to go to their local pharmacy today to get their blood pressure checked. It could be a lifesaving trip.”
Early detection of high blood pressure can in many cases be lifesaving
Dr Pauline Swift
Professor Bryan Williams of the British Heart Foundation, said: "If left untreated, high blood pressure is a silent killer.
"There aren’t usually any symptoms, and it can significantly raise your risk of a life-threatening heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
"High blood pressure is however usually easy to treat, and that’s why it is vital to get yourself checked."
Dr Pauline Swift, of Blood Pressure UK, said regular blood pressure testing for people aged 40 and over "is so important".
She said: "Many in England today are walking around completely unaware that they have high blood pressure and the what the potential risks associated with this are."
How can I get my blood pressure checked?
You should have a blood pressure test if you're worried about your blood pressure at any time.
If you're over 40, you can have this test done as part of an , which is offered to adults in England aged 40 to 74 every 5 years.
If you have been diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, or you have a high risk of developing either, you may need more frequent checks of your blood pressure.
You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:
- most pharmacies
- your local GP surgery
- some workplaces
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Juliet Bouverie, of Stroke Association, said: "High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor when it comes to strokes.
"There are 1.3million stroke survivors in the UK, and someone will have a stroke every five minutes.
"Getting your blood pressure checked regularly at your local pharmacy is vital to reducing the risk of living with the devastating potential impacts of stroke such as paralysis, vision loss and inability to speak or swallow amongst others."
'SO GLAD IT WAS DIAGNOSED'
Single mum Justine, 54, spent a night in hospital because of high blood pressure.
She said: "Being sent to A&E because my high blood pressure put me in hypertensive crisis — all sorts of things cross your mind.
"You worry about your kids and you don’t want them to worry about you.
"But although it was daunting at the time, I’m so glad it was diagnosed, because with routine medication and a few lifestyle changes, I have very normal blood pressure readings."
Hypertension can be reduced by cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, eating healthily, exercising and stopping smoking.
Now Justine is back to her normal life and said anyone who is able to should get their readings checked at a pharmacy.
She said: ";It’s not difficult to manage and it certainly doesn’t stop me enjoying life and dancing with my friends."
Fifty-six-year-old Lesley suffered "near stroke" level high blood pressure after being offered a free check after visiting a pharmacy for a prescription.
She said: "I’m so thankful that I could get a quick blood pressure check at my pharmacy – my reading ended up being so high, I was almost at risk of a stroke, but I was glad I had the chance to take the steps to avoid one.
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"I never expected to have high blood pressure, because I felt healthy, and expected to see symptoms if there was something wrong.
"I would urge anyone 40 years and over just to get the check – it’s quick and easy."
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