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Blood Pressure Check

Free NHS blood pressure monitoring service at Taffs Pharmacy

NHS Blood Pressure Check Service

Our NHS Blood Pressure Check service offers free monitoring and advice to help you manage your blood pressure and reduce your risk of serious health conditions.

Free NHS Blood Pressure Check

Available for adults 40+ and eligible individuals under 40. Quick, painless, and reliable testing.

Quick Service

Get your blood pressure checked in minutes without an appointment.

Expert Advice

Receive professional guidance on managing your blood pressure and lifestyle changes.

Regular Monitoring

Set up a monitoring schedule to track your blood pressure over time.

Lifestyle Support

Get personalised advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.

Risk Assessment

Understand your cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure readings fall into different categories, which can help you understand your risk level.

Low Blood Pressure

Systolic:Less than 90 mmHg
Diastolic:Less than 60 mmHg

Ideal Blood Pressure

Systolic:90-120 mmHg
Diastolic:60-80 mmHg

Pre-high Blood Pressure

Systolic:120-140 mmHg
Diastolic:80-90 mmHg

High Blood Pressure

Systolic:140 or higher mmHg
Diastolic:90 or higher mmHg

Understanding Blood Pressure

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. But lifestyle changes and blood pressure medicines can help you stay healthy. High blood pressure is very common, especially in older adults. There are usually no symptoms, so you may not realise you have it.

Risk Factors

  • Your age – you're more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older
  • Having close relatives with high blood pressure
  • Your ethnicity – you're at higher risk if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background
  • Having an unhealthy diet – especially a diet that's high in salt
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Feeling stressed over a long period

Symptoms to Watch For

High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, but in some cases, you might experience:

  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Chest pain

Get Help from NHS 111 if:

  • You often have headaches or blurred vision
  • You have chest pain that comes and goes
  • You have other symptoms you're worried could be caused by high blood pressure

Call 999 Immediately if:

  • You get sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away – the pain can feel like squeezing or pressure inside your chest, burning or indigestion
  • You get pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach or back
  • You have chest pain and you feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath

You could be having a heart attack. Do not drive yourself to A&E.

Health Risks

If untreated, high blood pressure puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as your brain, kidneys and eyes. It can increase your risk of serious conditions including:

  • Heart disease
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney disease
  • Vascular dementia

Free Blood Pressure Checks

Many pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks for people aged 40 or over.

You should get your blood pressure checked if:

  • You think you might have high blood pressure or might be at risk
  • You're aged 40 or over and have not had your blood pressure checked for more than 5 years

What Happens During a Blood Pressure Check

A blood pressure test involves:

  • Inflating a band (cuff) around your upper arm
  • Measuring the pressure in your blood vessels

If the test shows you might have high blood pressure, you may be asked to:

  • Use a blood pressure monitor at home to check your blood pressure regularly over the next few days
  • Come back to your GP surgery a few days or weeks later for another check
  • Wear a portable monitor that takes regular readings over 24 hours

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure readings are given as 2 numbers, with the first number higher than the second (for example, 130/80).

If you're under 80 years of age:

  • High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional
  • Or 135/85 or higher when checked at home

If you're aged 80 or over:

  • High blood pressure is 150/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional
  • Or 145/85 or higher when checked at home

Managing Your Blood Pressure

Do

  • Have a healthy, balanced diet
  • Exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week
  • Lose weight if you're overweight

Don't

  • Do not eat too much salt – avoid salty food or adding salt to your meals
  • Do not drink too much alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 alcohol units a week
  • Do not drink too much caffeine
  • Do not smoke

Medical Treatment

Your GP may prescribe medicine if:

  • Your blood pressure is very high
  • You're at higher risk of problems like heart attacks or strokes
  • Your blood pressure remains high after lifestyle changes

There are various medicines available, and the choice depends on factors like your blood pressure level, age, and ethnicity. Most medications are taken as tablets once daily, and you may need more than one type to control your blood pressure effectively.

Further Information and Support

For more information and advice about high blood pressure, you can visit:

  • Blood Pressure UK
  • British Heart Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our blood pressure services.

Need a Blood Pressure Check?

Book your blood pressure check at Taffs Pharmacy today and take a step towards better heart health.

Please note: If you have any concerns about your blood pressure or experience severe symptoms, please consult with your GP or healthcare provider.