THIS Valentine’s Day, the NHS in the North West is encouraging people to show their heart some love by getting a simple blood pressure check — a quick step that can prevent serious illness and save lives.

Almost half a million adults in the region are estimated to have undiagnosed high blood pressure, often with no signs and symptoms, significantly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

With cardiovascular disease remaining a major cause of death across the North West, NHS leaders are calling on residents to make this the year they prioritise their heart health.

Blood pressure checks are fast, free, and available to the over 40s at hundreds of participating community pharmacies, along with NHS Health Checks, or annual reviews for those with pre-existing conditions in GP practices across the region.

Many pharmacies offer walk‑in appointments, making it easier than ever for people to find out their numbers.  From April 2025 to December 2025, community pharmacies delivered over 450,000 BP checks across the North West, supporting people to be diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) and access essential treatment.

Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West said:

“Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to look after the heart that keeps you going, and with February being national heart month, now is as good a time as any to start to look at how we can all help keep our hearts as healthy as possible.”

Across the North West, NHS partners have been working with local authorities, optometrists, dentists, community pharmacy teams and even barber shops to create new initiatives to identify those most at risk of developing cardio vascular disease.

Lucky 13 Barbershop in Lytham St Annes began offering free blood pressure checks to clients in April 2024, and in the first 7 months tested 158 men and 24 women with 31 advised to attend urgent care.

The level of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension (high blood pressure) is particularly high on the Fylde Coast, and the pilot project targeted men, who are often more reluctant to go and see a doctor.

Theo Petrocelli, owner of Lucky 13, said: “(Men) talk to us about all sorts of situations, from their health to their home life problems, and I said I’d love to be able to check on men and make sure that they’re okay.

“There’s a lot of people out there that are struggling with hypertension and don’t realise they are. We didn’t realise how good the impact in the area would be.”

NHS optometrists have also been used across the North West to support a pilot to increase access to blood pressure checks, making every contact count to help identify people at risk.

Mike Andrews, 45, from Tuebrook, Liverpool had planned a routine family trip to the optician and a weekend of shopping and running errands.

During the trip to the optician, Mike found himself reading a leaflet about blood pressure in the consulting room, leading to the optometrist advising Mike about an initiative where blood pressure tests were being offered at opticians as a quick and efficient way of screening people in familiar settings.

Mike, 45, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, said: “I’m not one for going to the doctor and have no real history of hospital visits, but in that moment, something made me think: ‘why not?’ I had no idea that decision would start a journey of some quite alarming conversations.”

The optometrist was so shocked at the results of the first blood pressure reading, a second test was carried out, and Mike was advised to call NHS 111 immediately.  After speaking to NHS 111, Mike was asked to attend his local pharmacy straightaway to repeat the test on another machine.  His blood pressure was registering as 255/151.

Normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60 and 120/80 with a follow up by a medical professional required at 140/90.

“I was told I needed to go to A&E immediately,” Mike said. “That’s when I realised something was seriously wrong.”

Mike went straight to Aintree Hospital, where he was admitted and monitored for several days. Each time nurses took his blood pressure, they were astonished.

“They told me they couldn’t understand how I was walking around without any symptoms.”

Over the next ten weeks, Mike underwent brain scans, kidney scans, ultrasounds, and countless blood and urine tests. He now takes three medications daily to control his condition, medication he’ll need for life.

Mike, who lives at home with his wife Anna, daughters Violet (10) and Pearl (9), and the family’s Cockapoo, Bonnie, is clear that without the optometrist’s offer of a quick blood pressure test, the outcome could have been catastrophic.

“Doctors told me that without intervention, a heart attack or stroke was inevitable. My wife would have lost a husband, and my children would have lost their dad. That’s terrifying to think about.

“I would never have normally said yes to the test when it was offered. Whatever it was on that day which made me say yes has most certainly saved my life.

“I will be eternally grateful to the optometrist and for the option of having my blood pressure tested at that point on our busy family day.”

A pilot has also been rolled out to deliver important NHS health checks at workplaces across the region, with 576 workplaces participating and over 19,500 health checks provided.  The NHS health check is a free check-up offered to everyone aged 40 to 74, who don’t already have pre-existing conditions once every 5 years.  The check can tell whether you are at risk of developing health problems like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.

Dr Cowan added: “An NHS Health Check is one of the simplest ways to take control of your long‑term health.

“Many conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol don’t cause symptoms at first, but they can have a serious impact if they go unnoticed. I see every day how early detection can change someone’s future for the better, just look at Mike’s story.

“Taking half an hour for a check now can help protect your heart, your wellbeing, and the life you want to enjoy with the people you care about.”