High blood pressure
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. But lifestyle changes and blood pressure medicines can help you stay healthy.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension means your blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers:
•Top number (systolic): pressure when your heart beats
•Bottom number (diastolic): pressure when your heart rests
•Both numbers matter when checking your blood pressure.
How to test for high blood pressure
1. At a GP surgery
- You can ask for a blood pressure check at your GP practice at any time.
- If you’re aged 40 to 74, you may be invited for an NHS Health Check every 5 years, which includes a blood pressure test.
2. At a community pharmacy
- Many pharmacies in England offer free NHS blood pressure checks for people aged 40 and over who:
- Don’t already have a diagnosis of high blood pressure
- Haven’t had a blood pressure check in the last 6 months
- The check is done by a pharmacist or trained team member using a cuff on your upper arm.
- Depending on the result, they may:
- Give lifestyle advice
- Offer a home monitor to use and return
- Refer you to your GP if needed.
3. Through the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service
- This service is aimed at identifying undiagnosed high blood pressure in people over 40.
- If your reading is high, the pharmacy may offer Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) — a 24-hour test using a portable device.
- Very high readings are referred urgently to your GP, and all results are shared with your GP practice.