Quick and easy test that could save your life
SONIA SHARMA on the easy test that just might save your life
NORTH East people aged 40 and over are being urged to get tested for ‘silent killer’ high blood pressure as millions go undiagnosed.
The NHS has launched a campaign to find the “missing millions” who don’t have a diagnosis and health bosses are reminding people that you can get a free blood pressure check at your local NHS community pharmacy. High blood pressure is often described as a silent killer as the condition rarely has any symptoms.
It is estimated 4.2 million adults in England have undiagnosed high blood pressure.
If left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of premature death in England.
It causes one in four deaths in England – around one death every four minutes.
High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, creates the biggest risk for CVD and an estimated 5.5 million people in England have undiagnosed hypertension.
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have a simple test.
On average, local community pharmacies carry out more than 20,000 blood pressure checks every month in the North East and Yorkshire region.
The service is available for people aged 40 and over who don’t currently have a diagnosis.
The procedure is quick, noninvasive and you don’t need to book in advance.
Dr Faisel Baig, medical director for primary care, NHS North East and Yorkshire, said: “The blood pressure check will be carried out by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician trained to use blood pressure monitoring equipment in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
The results will be sent to the patient’s GP practice to confirm the diagnosis and for appropriate treatment, if necessary.
“Remember, it’s important to know your blood pressure because if you’ve got undiagnosed high blood pressure it puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke.
“People can walk in to their NHS pharmacy to request a blood pressure test, or they can make an appointment.
“It’s completely free and you don’t need to see a GP in advance.”
More than 1,500 pharmacies are registered to deliver the blood pressure check service across our region.