More than 75,000 people across Hertfordshire and West Essex have checked their blood pressure at a pharmacy in the past 12 months and by doing so, have reduced their risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Around one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but only half of those are aware of it. High blood pressure (hypertension) doesn’t usually have any obvious symptoms, making it an invisible threat to many. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and even dementia. The good news? High blood pressure is easy to detect and manage.
Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB said: “Detecting hidden high blood pressure is an important priority for the local NHS as these checks are quick, painless and can save lives and prevent serious illness and disability in years to come. Blood pressure checks are available when you visit our hospitals for an outpatient appointment, in pharmacies, at GP practices and at some dentists and opticians. Our partners in the voluntary sector and local councils are also playing their part and offering free checks to people in libraries, places of worship and community hubs after being trained by our ICB team.
“In the past 12 months alone, more than 75,000 blood pressure checks have been carried out in community pharmacies across Hertfordshire and West Essex, plus many more thousands as part of people’s routine contacts with the NHS. If you’re over 40 and haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, now is the perfect time.”
People who are Black or South Asian are more likely to be at risk from high blood pressure. Daisy Mpofu, a 37-year-old primary school teacher from Watford, exercises regularly and had no idea she had hidden high blood pressure.
Daisy had not checked her blood pressure for around five years and had not thought about doing so until being offered the check at the school where she works.
She said: “One of the school governors had received some training and was going to do it and I realised it had been a few years and I just thought I would give it a go.”
The check at school showed her blood pressure was unexpectedly high.
After contacting her GP Daisy was advised to take blood pressure readings at home over the course of a week and was then prescribed medication which has helped lower her blood pressure into the healthy range.
“Had I not had it checked then I probably would not have identified the fact I had high blood pressure as I just assumed it was still fine.”
Since her diagnosis Daisy has also discovered other members of her family also have high blood pressure.
“It has changed my perception that high blood pressure is something you get when you are old, and I am encouraging all my friends to take a test, particularly those who are a similar age to me.”
To find your nearest pharmacy offering a free blood pressure check visit www.hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk/bp
GP practices in Stevenage and north Hertfordshire are also working with Stevenage FC Community Foundation to bring blood pressure checks to fans at the Lamex Stadium later in September.