Getting your blood pressure checked could save your life
THE NHS IN DERBY AND DERBYSHIRE IS URGING PEOPLE AGED 40 AND OVER TO PRIORITISE THEIR HEALTH BY GETTING A BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
HIGH blood pressure is responsible for nearly half of all heart attacks and strokes, but often has no noticeable symptoms.
High blood pressure also puts you at risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
But high blood pressure is also one of the most preventable and treatable conditions. If you know you have it, you can do something about it. Reducing your blood pressure by a small amount can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%.
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have a check. It’s easy, painless and takes just a few minutes. While you are getting yours done, why not encourage your friends and family to get checked too?
Many people in the local community have been trained to take blood pressure checks. You may be offered a blood pressure check next time you are with a community group. If your reading is high, they will advise that you visit your local pharmacy for a further check and to receive advice.
Here’s how you can get a blood pressure check in Derby and Derbyshire:
VISIT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY
If you are aged over 40, you can get your blood pressure checked for free at most pharmacies in Derby and Derbyshire.
Many pharmacies have late and weekend opening hours to fit in with busy schedules. Pharmacists are trained to give checks and will offer you advice if your blood pressure is high, or they may refer you to your GP for further support.
To find a pharmacy offering blood pressure checks, visit the find a pharmacy website here.
GET A FREE NHS HEALTH CHECK
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health and is available to anyone aged between 40 and 74.
The health check can tell you whether you are at risk of getting certain health problems.
Simple tests including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and heart age are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
You can request a health check at your GP practice. Livewell Derby also offer health checks to people in Derby City, you can request a health check at livewellderby.co.uk
CHECK IF YOUR GP PRACTICE HAS A MACHINE IN THE WAITING ROOM
Your practice might have a machine in their waiting room that can take your blood pressure for you. You can give the results to reception and someone will follow up with you if your blood pressure is high.
This is a great way to proactively take care of your health. Next time you go to your practice, ask if they have a blood pressure machine.
GET A HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
You can measure your blood pressure in the comfort of your own home by using a home blood pressure monitor.
You can purchase home blood pressure monitors online. Blood Pressure UK has everything you need to know about home monitoring.
Rebecca from Derbyshire had her check as part of a routine smear test and found out she had high blood pressure.
She said: “The worrying part of this is that I didn’t - and still don’t - have any symptoms of feeling unwell at all.
“So without the trip to the nurse, none of this would have been highlighted and I would have continued as normal not knowing how high my blood pressure was. I would definitely urge everyone to get a check: It’s free, it’s safe, it doesn’t hurt and it could save your life!”
If your blood pressure is high, there are simple things you can do to reduce it such as:
• Reducing your salt intake
• Doing a bit more exercise
• Eating healthier foods
• Reducing your alcohol intake
• Stopping smoking, if you smoke
Your doctor might also prescribe you some medication to help keep your blood pressure at a normal level.
Let’s take control of our health this winter by getting a blood pressure check this week.
For more information on high blood pressure please visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/ high-blood-pressure-hypertension/