Do you know your numbers?  When did you last check your blood pressure? The NHS is encouraging people in the Midlands to get a blood pressure check which can be done at their local pharmacy to help identify those at hidden risks of stroke and heart attacks.

Know Your Numbers Week (2-8 September) is a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of checking your blood pressure, especially for those who are aged 40 or over. Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure (hypertension) which rarely has noticeable symptoms but if untreated, it increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is one of the leading causes of death in England.

You can get your blood pressure checked at several places, including many pharmacies. The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service has been positively received, delivering more than a million checks nationally in the last year. The service has been positively received, allowing people to keep on top of their risk of cardiovascular disease without the need for an appointment.

Other places include at an NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74; or at your local GP surgery. It is recommended that all adults aged 40 or over have their blood pressure tested at least every five years.

The British Heart Foundation key facts confirm that every 8 minutes someone in the UK dies from coronary heart disease.  In the West Midlands, community pharmacies have found more than 43,000 people with high blood pressure in the last 6 months.  These people are now having their blood pressure managed and so their risk of heart disease is reduced.

Church View Pharmacy in Halesowen in the Black Country have seen over 2800 people for blood pressure checks since January. Their Pharmacist, Tehlil Mahmood, said “This Know Your Numbers Week, we are talking to our customers about the free blood pressure check service we offer to see if they are eligible. It’s quick and easy to do. We have received lots of positive feedback from patients who told us they were happy with the privacy our consultation room offers and that they could get their results straight away.

Richard Seal, Regional Chief Pharmacist NHS England Midlands said “Knowing your blood pressure numbers can save your life. Checking your blood pressure is quick, simple and painless and can prevent you having a heart attack, stroke or detect other diseases.

800,000 people in the Midlands are estimated to be living with undetected or untreated hypertension and the only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have a blood pressure check.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, pop in and speak to your community pharmacist. If you have access to a blood pressure monitor you can test yourself at home, or you can get it checked for free at your GP surgery, at many workplaces, or as part of your NHS Health Check.”

The NHS online blood pressure tool can help you understand what your numbers mean and advise on any action you need to take.

If you have a recent blood pressure reading use the NHS Check your blood pressure tool to understand what your reading means. You’ll also get information about what to do next.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Check your blood pressure reading – NHS (www.nhs.uk)