Know your numbers

“Know Your Numbers Week” is an annual awareness initiative by Blood Pressure UK. This year it runs from 5-11 September 2022 and is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of managing blood pressure and of getting regular blood pressure checks, especially for the over 40s. 

NHS pharmacies are now providing free life-saving blood pressure checks for the over 40s. Figures show that since October 2021, the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service has delivered over 275,000 blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring checks to people aged 40 and over; and to date around 8,423 pharmacies are set up to deliver the service across England.

Did you know:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in England and the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas. The NHS Long Term Plan identifies CVD as the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives.

• High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack or stroke – knowing your numbers could save your life
• The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure tested. ​  
• It's recommended that all adults over 40 years of age have their blood pressure tested at least every five years so any potential problems can be detected early
• If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s important to have your blood pressure tested more regularly, at least once a year. ​  

Call to action

• You can get your blood pressure checked at several places. NHS pharmacies in England are able to provide the lifesaving checks to people aged 40 or over. You can also get it checked at an NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74, at home using a home blood pressure monitor or at your local GP surgery
• The NHS in England has allocated some patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor so that they can take their readings conveniently, safely and accurately in their own homes and share readings with their general practice as agreed
• Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pressure-test/