Blood pressure checks

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher over a number of weeks, even when you are resting.

Your blood pressure usually goes up and down depending on what you are doing. If your blood pressure stays too high, for too long, then it can cause damage to your body.

People with high blood pressure that is not controlled with medication are at an increased risk of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, heart disease and kidney failure due to the extra strain on the body’s organs.

Low blood pressure (or hypotension) is when your blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg or less when you are resting. If you have low blood pressure, you may experience dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea and general weakness. People who are older and have low blood pressure are at higher risk of injuring themselves by falling.

The NHS recommends that healthy adults who are over 40 should have a blood pressure check every 5 years. People who are at increased risk of high blood pressure should have checks once a year.

It is usual to need to have several checks, and over several weeks if your blood pressure appears initially high. Some people will use a monitor that is carried around with them to see how the blood pressure changes throughout the day. This is called 24-hour ambulatory monitoring.

A blood pressure reading is measured using two different readings:

• Systolic pressure: the pressure on your arteries when your heart pumps out blood.
• Diastolic pressure:the pressure on your arteries when your heart is relaxed between contractions.

You’ll only know if you have high blood pressure if you get it tested. You can do this at home using a blood pressure monitor or by visiting your GP or pharmacist. They will be able to test your blood pressure and give you advice on how to manage your symptoms.

Our community pharmacies in England are now offering a free NHS hypertension screening service to all adults over 40. If you already have high or low blood pressure, you may need more regular screening.

A member of our pharmacy team will measure your blood pressure in a private consultation room. If the reading is high, they may offer you an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device to wear. This can automatically measure your blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period, allowing for a more detailed view of your blood pressure.

You do not need to make an appointment for this service, simply visit your nearest Well pharmacy and speak to one of our colleagues.

If you are diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, our team will be able to discuss whether there are any lifestyle or diet changes that could help your blood pressure or overall heart risk.

This service is for people who have not previously been diagnosed with hypertension. If you have hypertension and would like some information, please speak to a pharmacist or read our advice on managing high blood pressure.

If your doctor has prescribed medication, then your pharmacist can help you be confident in using your medication safely and effectively and support you with understanding your heart health choices.

1. CVD prevention: detecting and treating hypertension. Accessed October 6, 2021. https://stpsupport.nice.org.uk/cvd-prevention-hypertension/index.html
2. High blood pressure. bhf.org.uk. Accessed October 8, 2021.https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure
3. High blood pressure (hypertension). nhs.uk. Published October 23, 2017. Accessed December 1, 2020. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension