NHS high blood pressure risk factors – and when to see a doctor | UK | News

But this is often easier said than done. hypertension sometimes causes symptoms such as blurred visionChest pain and headaches are relatively rare. In most cases, people with high blood pressure have no symptoms; making regular checks the only reliable way to detect this.

NHS highlights high blood pressure It is especially common among older adults and identifies eight key risk factors that can increase your chances of getting the disease even in the absence of symptoms. These include:

• Your age – as you get older you are more likely to have high blood pressure
• Having a close relative with high blood pressure
• Your ethnicity – you are at higher risk if you are of Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnicity
• Having an unhealthy diet – especially one high in salt
• Obesity
• Smoke
• drinking too much alcohol
• feeling stressed for a long period of time

official NHS website adds: “High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems such as heart attack or stroke. But lifestyle changes and blood pressure medications can help you stay healthy.”

People who suspect they may have hypertension or are at risk of developing hypertension should have their blood pressure monitored at their GP surgery or local pharmacy. People aged 40 and over who have not had their blood pressure checked for more than five years should also make an appointment.

The NHS recommends contacting NHS 111 if you are experiencing regular headaches, blurred vision, occasional chest pain or other symptoms of high blood pressure. However, it’s crucial to dial 999 if you’re experiencing these three warning signs because they could signal a heart attack:

• If you experience sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away; the pain may feel like squeezing or pressure inside your chest, burning, or indigestion
• If you have pain that radiates to your left or right arm, or to your neck, jaw, abdomen, or back
• You have chest pain and feel sweaty, sick, dizzy, or short of breath

For more information, visit: NHS website here.

Who has the right to have blood pressure checked in pharmacies in the UK?

Selected pharmacies across the UK offer free blood pressure tests to people who qualify. This service is designed for UK residents aged 40 and over who are unaware that they have elevated blood pressure.

Those who know they have high blood pressure or whose levels have been checked in the last six months will not be able to benefit from this service. Similar to a standard blood pressure exam, these appointments usually involve a pharmacist or healthcare provider placing a cuff on your upper arm to take measurements.

Depending on the outcome, you may be advised to consult your doctor, who can guide you on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or be given a monitoring device to use at home before a follow-up visit.

What does a high blood pressure measurement mean?

Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers; The first digit is greater than the second digit. For people under 80, the reading is generally considered high when it reaches:

• 140/90 or above when checked by a healthcare professional
• 135/85 or above when checked at home

For people aged 80 and over, blood pressure readings are generally considered high if: