An NHS worker hopes by sharing his own blood pressure readings it will add up to more people aged 40-plus checking to see if their blood pressure reading is high, and when it is taking the steps to reduce their risk of premature death.

For Jim Gammans, a Community Engagement Officer, it’s about ‘talk the talk, walk the walk’ when it comes to blood pressure.

Not only does he regularly record his own blood pressure but he also publicly shares it in his social media handles on sites such as X – Jim Gammans Blood Pressure 107/67 (currently).

He is championing why it’s important to have your blood pressure checked, and if it’s high, making sure it’s managed, on World Hypertension Day (17 May).

Jim Gammans, Community Engagement Officer, regularly records his own blood pressure and publicly shares it in his social media handles

Jim said: “I have my blood pressure reading on all social media and bios, and on my Facebook and email as well.

“It has become a bit of a running joke with some of my patient participation group members who say they hate getting emails from me because my blood pressure is better than theirs.

I’m not doing it to try and show off but by taking mine and noting the day I took it, it may make it relevant to others and hopefully encourage the people who see my readings to take theirs too.”

Jim first started taking and recording his blood pressure when a regionwide drive to encourage people over 40 years old to check their blood pressure was launched back in 2023.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it rarely has symptoms, and is one of the biggest causes of premature death in the South West.

Left unchecked and unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke.  Once high blood pressure is identified it can be managed by a doctor or even through lifestyle changes.

An additional 87,495 people have had high blood pressure recorded and now have it managed, thanks to the efforts of NHS colleagues across the South West like Jim.

Jim, who works for NHS Dorset, was supporting a primary care network peer-to-peer support programme to help people with a digital BP@Home service.

He said: “You sign-up for free through your phone and use the blood pressure cuff to record your numbers, the numbers through the app are then shared with your GP practice.

Jim regularly takes his blood pressure. His current blood pressure reading is 107/67 which is good. He says he finds it a “reassuring routine”.

“However, there are lots of way you can have your blood pressure checked for free – most GP surgeries have a machine where you can check your blood pressure of you can go along to your pharmacy, but the app is really so easy to use.

“It has become a reassuring routine for me, I know if it does creep up I can have a conversation with my GP about it.  When I see those good blood pressure numbers it also motivates me to keep going to the gym and eat healthily because I’m obsessed by food, especially anything sweet.

“Ultimately, I want to live as long and as healthy a life as possible and I also want that for others too – the people living in my community and my NHS colleagues, so I’ll keep on sharing my numbers and talking about the importance of getting your blood pressure checked.”

You are usually considered to have high blood pressure if you’re aged under 80 years old and your reading is either 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional or 135/85 or higher when checked at home.

For more information on the importance of a blood pressure check, knowing what those numbers mean and what to do next, visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/our-work/blood-pressure/