What is the NHS blood pressure check service?
Available at pharmacies across England, the free NHS blood pressure check service allows a healthcare professional to measure your blood pressure reading and identify whether your blood pressure reading is in a high, low or normal range. If your blood pressure is outside of the normal range, you’ll be given advice on the next steps.
Who is eligible for blood pressure checks?
You can have your blood pressure checked from the age of 18 in our pharmacies or alternatively you can book an appointment to see your GP. If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, it is important to have it checked out, regardless of your risk level or age.
However, to be eligible for a free NHS hypertension screening service at one of our Day Lewis pharmacies, you will need to fit one of the following criteria:
- You are aged 40 or over and don’t currently have a hypertension diagnosis
- You are aged under 40 and have a family history of hypertension
- You have been referred by your GP for a blood pressure check.
Your likelihood of getting high blood pressure increases with age, which is why this service is completely free for anyone over 40. If you are eligible, make sure to visit your local Day Lewis Pharmacy for a free blood pressure check.
How the blood pressure check service works
Having your blood pressure checked at a Day Lewis Pharmacy is simple. Just follow the steps below:
- Book your appointment
You can easily book a blood pressure check online. Select your location, your preferred date and time, and fill in your details on the online form to make your appointment. - Attend your blood pressure check
At your appointment, one of our trained team members will wrap a pressure cuff around your upper arm to measure your blood pressure. This will take place in a private consultation room. - Discuss your measurements
Your healthcare professional will interpret and explain the reading to you. Depending on your results, they may advise on healthy living, refer you to your GP or another healthcare provider or recommend you wear an ABPM device to monitor your blood pressure.
What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
For arteries to carry blood from the heart around the body, there needs to be a certain level of pressure of blood. It’s normal for this pressure to fluctuate during the day – for example, it may increase when you’re doing exercise. However, you may have high blood pressure if it remains consistently high, even when resting and this means your heart is working harder to pump blood around your body.
When you have high blood pressure, your arteries may become narrower, making it easier for fatty deposits to build up and restrict circulation. As a result, you may be at risk of serious conditions such as:
- Heart problems
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Arterial thrombosis
- Vascular dementia
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
- Damage to vital organs.
Most people with high blood pressure don’t experience any symptoms which is why it’s so important to have your blood pressure checked. Rarely, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred or double vision, regular nosebleeds and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms then speak to your GP practice.
What causes high blood pressure?
The cause of high blood pressure isn’t always clear as you can be high risk due to multiple factors. Making healthy lifestyle choices may be able to reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure. However, there can also be a genetic or hereditary element.
Factors that can contribute to a person being more at risk of developing high blood pressure include:
- Being 65 or over
- Eating too much salt and not eating enough fruit and vegetables
- Not exercising enough
- Drinking too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Having a relative with high blood pressure
- Being of black African or black Caribbean descent
- Living in a deprived area.
What is a healthy blood pressure?
When your blood pressure is measured, you’ll be given two numbers that represent:
- Systolic pressure – higher number that measures the pressure against your arteries when blood is pumping around your body
- Diastolic pressure – lower number that measures how much pressure is in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.
Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg for those under 80. If you’re over 80, it’s normal for it to be higher as arteries stiffen as we age so a healthy blood pressure is under 150/90 mmHg if measured by a healthcare professional or 145/85 mmHg if measured at home.
For those under 80, you have high blood pressure if it’s 140/90 mmHg or higher when measured by a healthcare professional or 135/85 mmHg if checked at home. Those over 80 have high blood pressure if it’s 150/90 mmHg or higher when taken by a healthcare professional or 145/85 mmHg or higher if measured at home.
You can check your blood pressure level using the table below:
What is ABPM?
ABPM, or Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, is a test that automatically measures your blood pressure over a set period of time. It requires you to wear a cuff on your arm and a portable device on a belt around your waist. The cuff will inflate every 30 minutes during the day and hourly at night to measure your blood pressure and monitor how it fluctuates throughout the day.
You will be offered ABPM if you have high blood pressure, i.e. if your readings are higher than 140/90 mmHg and it will be fitted by one of our trained team. After wearing the ABPM device for the required timespan, you will need to return it to the pharmacy. Your results will be analysed and then shared with your GP. Your GP or pharmacy team member will then discuss the next steps with you in a follow-up appointment, whether it’s a medical referral or advice on lifestyle changes you could make to help lower your blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I at risk of high blood pressure?
You may be more at risk of high blood pressure if:
- you are aged 40 or over
- you have a family history of hypertension
- you drink too much alcohol or smoke
- you have an unbalanced diet or irregular exercise routine
- you are of black African or black Caribbean descent.
Although it’s important to note that high blood pressure generally doesn’t have a specific cause and can be due to a number of factors.
How long does the blood pressure check take?
Checking your blood pressure will only take a couple minutes while the cuff inflates, measures your blood pressure and deflates. The appointment itself – including measuring your blood pressure, looking at your results and deciding next steps – will typically take around 15-20 minutes in total. Our pharmacy team will take the time to answer any questions, ensuring you don’t feel rushed.
What if my blood pressure is low?
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is generally a reading of less than 90/60 mmHg and you may experience the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- nausea
- blurred vision
- fainting
- confusion.
To treat low blood pressure, your GP may recommend a change in medication (if that is the cause), wearing support stockings or if necessary, medication to increase blood pressure.
What if my blood pressure is high?
If your blood pressure is too high, your GP or pharmacist will offer support and advice on the best options for you, which may include lifestyle changes, such as avoiding too much salt or losing weight. You can also be prescribed medication for high blood pressure but this is typically only if:
- your blood pressure is very high
- you’re at higher risk of problems related to high blood pressure, e.g. heart attack or stroke
- your blood pressure remains high after making lifestyle changes.
When should I have my blood pressure checked?
If you’re worried about your blood pressure, you should have a blood pressure test, regardless of your age or how high risk you are. The NHS also recommends that all adults over 40 years old check their blood pressure at least once every 5 years. If you are at high risk of developing high blood pressure, you may need more frequent checks.
I’ve already been diagnosed with hypertension, what support can I get?
NHS Blood Pressure Checks are not for those who already have high blood pressure. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, you can ask your GP or one of our team for advice on how to manage it and the treatment options available to you.
Will I be started on blood pressure tablets?
Not immediately, no. A single high reading of blood pressure is not typically enough for a high blood pressure diagnosis. If you have a high reading, your blood pressure will be monitored and you may be asked about factors that can increase it, such as your family history and lifestyle. If your lifestyle is the issue, you will be advised to make changes to that first before being prescribed blood pressure tablets.
What should I wear for a blood pressure check?
When measuring your blood pressure, a cuff will go around your upper arm. Therefore, it’s a good idea to wear a loose fitting top with sleeves you can easily roll without feeling too tight.
Book your blood pressure check today
Monitoring your blood pressure is important, especially if you’re at risk of developing hypertension. Here at Day Lewis, we offer free NHS blood pressure checks for those who are eligible. Why not book your appointment today?
To read more about why your blood pressure matters, click here.
