Free blood pressure check
One simple check a year could save a life, which could even be your own.
If you’re over 40, and don’t have a diagnosis high blood pressure, then you are eligible for a FREE NHS blood pressure check in any of our pharmacies.
And if you're found to have high blood pressure hypertension, we can now offer you our NEW Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) service.
For your complete peace of mind, just pop in and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team.
What happens at a blood pressure check
We offer free blood pressure checks to people over 40, you can pop into your local Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy anytime. You don't need to book an appointment.
A blood pressure check involves around 10-15 minutes in the pharmacy consultation room with a trained member of our pharmacy team. They will guide you through reading and understanding your results. You may be invited to take home a blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure over a longer time frame as you go about your daily life or be referred to your GP. Depending on your blood pressure reading they may refer you to your GP for further investigation
Know your numbers
Did you know that around one third of adults (over 40s) in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it?
It’s important to know your numbers: High/low/normal... it’s good to know what your reading means.
High blood pressure
Left untreated, high blood pressure could lead to serious conditions like strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease. You may not have any symptoms.
Low blood pressure
Naturally low blood pressure is unlikely to cause any symptoms and can be nothing to worry about, but if you’re experiencing any of the below symptoms, it’s worth getting your blood pressure checked.
What are the symptoms?
- Severe headache
- Fatigue or confusion
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Vision problems
What are the symptoms?
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness/feeling light-headed
- Fainting
Measuring blood pressure
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) using a simple machine. When you have it measured it will be written as two numbers, a top number, and a bottom number. For example, if your reading is 120/80mmHg, your blood pressure is 120 over 80.
These values are representative of most patients, however, your target ranges may be different based on age, other illnesses and the type of blood pressure monitoring. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with one of our pharmacy team or your GP surgery.
Keeping your blood pressure under control
The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of health problems, and lowering it is one of the best things you can do for your health. Even a small change can make a big difference – lowering the top number by 10mmHg lowers the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 20%.
You can start taking steps today to lower your blood pressure and keep it in check.
Your heart health matter - check out our top tips to help you start lowering your blood pressure ❤️
Helpful websites
NHS – High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
The NHS website has a helpful overview of high blood pressure (hypertension). They also cover the causes, how hypertension is diagnosed, various treatments that may be recommended and ways to prevent high blood pressure.
If you're monitoring your blood pressure at home they also have a helpful tool to check your blood pressure reading.
Find out more about high blood pressure (hypertension) on the NHS website.
Blood Pressure UK - Your blood pressure
If you’ve been told you have high blood pressure (hypertension) or you would like to learn more about it, Blood Pressure UK has some really helpful information. Their information is written by a team of experts and includes what your blood pressure readings mean, how high blood pressure can affect your body, what causes it and the steps you can take to lower it.
Find out more about blood pressure on the Blood Pressure UK website.
British Heart Foundation - Information and support
The British Heart Foundation provide information and support on a range of heart conditions including blood pressure. They have a number of resources for high blood pressure and low blood pressure. If you're interested in monitoring your own blood pressure at home they also have some great guides on how to manage your blood pressure at home.
Here to help
Remember that if you have any questions or concerns about your blood pressure our pharmacy colleagues are here to help.
If you're thinking about having a blood pressure check but would like to know more our pharmacy colleagues are happy to answer your questions and concerns.
Find your local Lincolnshire Co-op Pharmacy using our store finder.