What is blood pressure?
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Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body.
Your reading is shown as two numbers, for example 120/80 mmHg.
The first number is the pressure when your heart pumps. The second is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
Who is eligible for a free NHS blood pressure check?
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The service is mainly for people who:
Are aged 40 or over
Do not already have diagnosed high blood pressure
Have not had their blood pressure checked within the last five years
There are some exceptions for people under 40 who may be at increased risk. Our pharmacy team will check your eligibility before providing the service.
Do I need to see my GP first?
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No.
You can access the service directly through our pharmacy if you meet the eligibility criteria. You do not need to make a GP appointment first.
In some circumstances, a GP or another healthcare professional may also direct you to a pharmacy for a blood pressure check or further monitoring.
What is considered high blood pressure?
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A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or above when measured by a healthcare professional is generally considered raised.
However, one raised reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure.
Your blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day, which is why further monitoring may sometimes be needed.
What happens if my blood pressure is high?
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If your blood pressure is raised, we’ll explain the result and may offer Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM).
This provides a series of readings over a longer period and gives a better picture of your usual blood pressure.
Your results can then be shared with your GP for further assessment if necessary.
What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)?
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Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, or ABPM, uses a small portable blood pressure monitor that you wear away from the pharmacy.
The monitor automatically takes readings at regular intervals while you go about your usual day.
This gives a more accurate picture of how your blood pressure changes over time than a single reading in the pharmacy. Blood pressure can change throughout the day and can sometimes be temporarily higher when you are having it checked.
If your initial pharmacy reading is raised, ABPM can provide several additional readings during your normal routine.
These readings help your GP assess whether your blood pressure is consistently raised.
Can I use the service if I already have high blood pressure?
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If you already have diagnosed high blood pressure and are receiving treatment or regular monitoring, the routine case-finding blood pressure check is generally not intended for you.
This service is primarily designed to find people who may have undiagnosed high blood pressure.
There are separate circumstances where a healthcare professional may refer eligible patients for ambulatory monitoring.
Can I use the service if I am under 40?
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Possibly.
The service is primarily aimed at people aged 40 and over, but people under 40 may sometimes be considered where there is a recognised family history of high blood pressure or another reason they may be at increased cardiovascular risk.
Our pharmacy team will assess whether the NHS service is appropriate for you.
What causes high blood pressure?
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There is not always one single cause.
Your risk can be affected by factors including:
Getting older
Family history
Being overweight
Eating too much salt
Smoking
Drinking too much alcohol
Not being physically active
Certain ethnic backgrounds
Some health conditions
You can also have high blood pressure even if you feel healthy.
Will my GP receive my results?
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Yes.
Relevant results from the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service are securely shared with your GP practice so your health record can be updated and appropriate follow-up can be arranged.
This includes normal readings as well as results that require further assessment.
