This Stroke Prevention Day (Thursday 30 January), West Midlands residents who are 40+ are urged to get a free NHS blood pressure check at their local community pharmacy. 

Over the past year, community pharmacies in the West Midlands gave free blood pressure checks to more than 263,000 people. Of those checked, 27,000 were found to have high blood pressure and are now getting their condition managed and their risk of serious illness reduced.¹

Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure (hypertension) which rarely has noticeable symptoms but if untreated, it increases the risk of stroke. Stroke is the largest cause of disability in the UK and the fourth biggest killer. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is one of the leading causes of death in England.

According to a recent national survey by Eden Stanley, more than a third of Brits aren’t aware that high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke.²

The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure service is for anyone

• over the age of 40
• who has not previously been identified as having hypertension or a related condition; and
• has not had their blood pressure measured by a health professional within the previous six months.

Richard Seal, Regional Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the Midlands, said:  “Community pharmacies in the Midlands play an important role in helping to prevent strokes. Having high blood pressure increases the risk that you may have a stroke.   If you are over 40, please take advantage of a free blood pressure check at your local community pharmacy.

“An estimated 800,000 Midlands residents may be living with high blood pressure and don’t know they have it. Getting your blood pressure checked at your community pharmacy is simple and painless and could prevent you from having a heart attack, stroke or help detect other diseases. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Tariq Razzaq, Pharmacist at Stone Pharmacy, Staffordshire said: “It is now easier than ever to get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy in the West Midlands.

“High blood pressure plays a part in about half of all strokes so getting a free blood pressure check is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.

“This Stroke Prevention Day if you’re 40 and over, I urge you to have a fee blood pressure check in your community pharmacy. It is quick, easy and could save your life.”

Paul Rigden from Staffordshire has been diagnosed with high blood pressure. He said: “I have a dodgy heart. My GP and I had been talking a lot about my blood pressure going up and down.

“It was very easy to get my blood pressure check done at my local pharmacy. I didn’t need an appointment, and they had a private room.  It is straightaway and they allowed me to do my own checks at home on my own blood pressure monitor. My pharmacist was worried about my blood pressure being so high, and they recommended some changes in my medication.

“If you’re thinking about getting your blood pressure checked at your pharmacy, I would say go and do it.  I’ve been with Stone Pharmacy for over 30 years, and they are very friendly. We have an excellent rapport and we’re on a first-name basis. With their advice to my doctor, we’ve made a change to my medication, and I’ve benefitted from it. As a result, I’ve seen a reduction in my blood pressure.“

The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service has been positively received, delivering more than a million checks nationally in the last year. It allows people to keep on top of their risk of cardiovascular disease without the need for a GP appointment.

It is recommended that all adults aged 40 or over have their blood pressure tested at least every five years.

The NHS online blood pressure tool can help you understand what your numbers mean and advise on any action you need to take.

If you have a recent blood pressure reading use the NHS Check your blood pressure tool to understand what your reading means. You’ll also get information about what to do next.

Other ways to reduce your risk of stroke include:

• quitting smoking
• eating a balanced diet
• exercise
• cutting down on alcohol

For more information visit:

Watch this short video to see the service in action.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Check your blood pressure reading – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Stroke Information and Support – Stroke Association