Getting a blood pressure check

Do you ever stop to think about your blood pressure? 

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often has no symptoms. In fact, the first sign could be as serious as a heart attack or stroke! 

High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions in this country, more than one in four adults in the UK have the condition. Early detection is key and by knowing your blood pressure numbers you can take the next steps to improve your own health and wellbeing. 

Where to get your blood pressure checked 

• You can borrow a blood pressure monitor free of charge for up to three weeks from your local library. The monitors come with a guide on how to measure blood pressure, interpret the results and a diary to log them. They are an easy way to check your blood pressure in the comfort of your own home.  
• Our Wellbeing teams offer opportunistic blood pressure checks for eligible clients.  The following groups are not eligible: 
• • Adults aged 40-74 who are eligible for an NHS Health Check.
  • Individuals registered with a GP outside of West Sussex. 
  • Pregnant women. 
     
• If you are aged between 40 and 74 years old, with no pre-existing conditions, you can have a free NHS Health Check which includes blood pressure measurement. The check takes around 30-minutes and will tell you your level of cardiovascular risk and what you can do to ensure it stays low. To find NHS Health Check providers near you, visit our NHS Health Check page. 
• Many pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks to people aged 40 or over who live in England. Find a pharmacy offering this service on the NHS website. 
• You can buy a monitor to check your blood pressure at home, see the British Heart Foundation website for recommendations.  

Simple lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure, like eating healthily and avoiding too much salt. Get in touch with your local Wellbeing team for advice about stopping smoking, staying a healthy weight, getting active and cutting down on alcohol.