Untreated high blood pressure can result insevere complications like heart attacks and strokes. So, knowing its red flags and associated risk factors is crucial to slashing your risk of a health emergency.

Unfortunately, this isn't always straightforward. Whilehypertensionmay cause blurred vision, chest pain and headaches, this is especially rare. In fact, many people with high blood pressure display no symptoms at all, meaning diagnosis can only be confirmed through medical examination.

The NHS advises that high blood pressure is especially common in older adults and outlines eight key factors that may increase your risk, even without symptoms. These include the following:

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• 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

The official NHS website adds: "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."

People who think they have or might be at risk of hypertension are urged to have this checked at a GP or pharmacy. Anyone aged 40 or older who hasn't had a blood pressure check in over five years is also encouraged to have one.

Getting help from NHS 111 is advised if you often have headaches, blurred vision, intermittent chest pain or any other symptoms of high blood pressure. However, the NHS urges people to call 999 if they are experiencing the following three symptoms, as this may signal a heart attack:

• 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, lightheaded, or short of breath

For more information, visit the NHS website here.

Who can get a blood pressure check at pharmacies in England?

Some pharmacies across England offer free blood pressure examinations to eligible people. The scheme is intended for people aged 40 or over living in England who aren't aware they have high blood pressure.

If you know you have high blood pressure or have had these levels checked in the last six months, you also will not qualify for this examination.

Like any other blood pressure check, these appointmentsgenerally involve a pharmacist or team member wrapping a cuff around the upper arm to take a measurement. Depending on the result, you may then be advised to see a GP, given advice to support healthy living, or issued with your own monitor to take with you before returning later.

What is a 'high' blood pressure reading?

Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers, with the first being higher than the second. If you are under 80 years old, a reading is typically considered high if it is:

• 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional


• 135/85 or higher when checked at home

For people aged 80 and above, a blood pressure reading is generally considered high if it is:

• 150/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional


• 145/85 or higher when checked at home