NHS urges people across Surrey and Sussex to check their blood pressure during Know Your Numbers Week
Know Your Numbers Week runs from 7 to 13 September and is a national campaign led by Blood Pressure UK to raise awareness of the risks of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
This Know Your Numbers Week, NHS Surrey and Sussex are encouraging people to know their blood pressure numbers and understand what they can do to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart attacks and strokes.
Latest data shows that 73.6% of people (326,940) with hypertension (raised blood pressure) across Surrey and Sussex have been treated to their appropriate blood pressure target. Supporting people to identify and manage high blood pressure is an important part of preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing health inequalities.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms, meaning people can have it without knowing. Regular blood pressure checks can help identify hypertension early, allowing people to get the advice, treatment and support they need to manage their blood pressure and reduce their risk of serious illness.
NHS services are urging all adults aged 40 and above to take advantage of the free NHS blood pressure checks available in participating community pharmacies. Anyone aged 40 or over who lives in England and does not already have a diagnosis of high blood pressure, or has not had their blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past five years, can use the service - no GP appointment is needed.
People can find their nearest participating community pharmacy by using the NHS postcode finder.
To support Know Your Numbers Week, NHS Surrey and Sussex have produced a new series of CVD prevention videos with Dr Suneeta Kochhar, GP and Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. These are designed to provide accessible information and practical advice to help people understand and reduce their cardiovascular risk. One of the videos focuses on understanding your blood pressure.
Dr Suneeta Kochhar, GP and Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, said:
Raised blood pressure is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Up to a third of people in the UK may be unaware that they have raised blood pressure, This is because most people do not have any symptoms. The only way to detect this is by having a blood pressure check.
Know Your Numbers Week is a great opportunity for everyone to take a moment to check their blood pressure and understand what their numbers mean. If you’re aged 40 or over, you can access a free NHS blood pressure check at participating community pharmacies, without needing a GP appointment.
We also want to make it easier for people to understand their cardiovascular health and the steps they can take to reduce their risk. Our new CVD prevention videos, including one focused on understanding your blood pressure provides information that can be used alongside practical support from your GP surgery or community pharmacy.
Knowing your numbers - just like you know your height and weight - can help you take steps to protect your health and live a longer, healthier life.