WITH MORE THAN an estimated half a million adults in the region living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, this Know Your Numbers week (8 – 14 September), Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West is urging anyone over the age of 40 to get a free NHS blood pressure check.

When left untreated, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

In the North West the levels of high blood pressure recorded by GPs is higher than the England average at nearly 19%, but it is thought that even more people have undiagnosed cases of hypertension in the region, with often no signs or symptoms.

Dr Cowan said: “The early detection of high blood pressure gives people a better chance of preventing a stroke or heart attack or developing long term health problems. Knowing your numbers could help manage risks and potentially save lives.”

“The only way to find out if blood pressure is high is to have a BP check and it is so easy to do. Checks are available at local pharmacies or GP practices or as part of an NHS Health Check. Alternatively, if you have a blood pressure machine at home, you can do it yourself. Just take readings morning and evening for a week, work out the average, and send it to your GP practice for checking.”

Last year local community pharmacies delivered over 140,000 blood pressure checks that resulted in almost 11,000 people being diagnosed with high blood pressure and of those people, almost 8,000 were referred on to their GP for further care. 

Stephen Riley, Deputy Regional Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West said “A blood pressure check is simple and quick to do with results available there and then from our community pharmacists, who are highly trained health professionals.

“Knowing your numbers could help save your life. Don’t wait until it is too late, pop in and speak to your community pharmacist.”

Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt eaten, having a healthy diet, cutting back on alcohol, and losing weight can help to reduce high blood pressure, and keep hearts healthy.

GPs and community pharmacists across the North West are leading the fight against common conditions that cause heart disease and stroke, by encouraging self-awareness and lifestyle changes.

It is recommended that healthy adults 40 to 74 years of age have their blood pressure tested at least every five years. People who are near the threshold for high blood pressure may be asked to monitor it more often.

You can check your blood pressure regularly at home and keep an eye on your numbers by purchasing a simple good quality blood pressure monitor. For advice and guidance on monitors go to NHS England Home Blood Pressure Monitoring.