Blood pressure tests save lives

I’M DELIGHTED that from October everyone can get their blood pressure checked for free at their local pharmacy, as part of a new NHS scheme.

I’m encouraging all over-40s I know to pop in and take the test, which will prevent thousands of strokes and heart attacks.

You’d be surprised at the number of middle-aged people who appear perfectly healthy but, in fact, have high blood pressure – and never would have thought to get checked. It’s not just obese people with poor diets who are affected – genetic factors are at play, too.

So help me spread the word – tell everyone to visit their pharmacy and get checked.