People in England could avoid becoming one of the millions affected by a 'silent killer' with a free test. Most people can get a painless blood pressure test, and they do not always have to go to the doctor's office for it.

Around one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure. Blood Pressure UK reports that in England, 31% of men and 26% of women have high blood pressure, proving how common the condition is across the country.

Experts can help the public stay informed and prepared to avoid the worst that can happen when high blood pressure goes unchecked. Anyone born in 1986 or later meets one of the main criteria for getting one of these free health checks.

As part of the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service, you can get a free blood pressure check if you are:

• Over the age of 40


• live in England


• haven't had your blood pressure checked by a medical professional in the past six months


• don't already have high blood pressure

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If you're under 40 but have a family history of high blood pressure, or your GP has referred you, you may still qualify. Check with the pharmacy or your GP if you're unsure.

You can get a blood pressure check at your GP surgery, participating community pharmacies such as Lloyds Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy, and at pharmacy counters inside some major supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco. Some workplaces also offer blood pressure checks. Check with your employer.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called a 'silent killer' because most people don’t know they have it. Left untreated, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or vascular dementia.

According to the NHS website, things that increase your chances of having high blood pressure include:

• 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

Healthy lifestyle changes can help lower your blood pressure, alongside any medication that is prescribed by a doctor. People are given suggestions such as having a healthy, balanced diet (with a limit on salt) and adding regular exercise (at least 150 minutes a week) to help them lose weight if they are overweight.

High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Many people have it without realising it.

In some cases, high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision and chest pain. However, these are very general symptoms and could be caused by another issue altogether.

The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked. For more details about what to expect from the test itself, click here for more information from the NHS website.

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