Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Check your blood pressure
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.
Get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy, or with a home monitor – they are cheap and easy to buy.
You can check what the result might mean for you using the NHS blood pressure checker.
If you have high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, your GP practice can help you decide about treatment – this is a priority for them to prevent you becoming seriously unwell.
There is a lot you can do to reduce blood pressure by taking healthy lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthy, reducing your salt intake and drinking less alcohol.
Your local pharmacy
Visit your local pharmacy to get your blood pressure checked.
All pharmacies have a private area where you can talk to a Pharmacist in confidence, and you don’t always need to book an appointment to see a Pharmacist.
