High blood pressure is a leading cause of major health problems like heart attack and stroke, but it can be controlled. This week (4-10 September) is ‘Know Your Numbers’ week, and everyone is encouraged to check their blood pressure, because knowing your numbers could save your life.

You can arrange a check today – it’s quick, easy and painless. If you are aged 40 or over, you should have a blood pressure check at least every 5 years.

Get your blood pressure checked without an appointment

There are more than 280 community pharmacies in north west London offering free blood pressure checks with no appointment needed, including almost 50 in the Ealing borough. You can view an interactive map of their locations on the NHS NW London pharmacy webpage.

“If you can’t remember when your last blood pressure check was, it’s probably time to get another one,” said Councillor Josh Blacker, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for healthy lives. “Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, so you’re not alone if yours is high. But finding out and knowing your numbers means that you can start to manage it, and reduce your risk of health problems in the future. So pop into a local pharmacy and get your blood pressure checked soon.”

Find out more

If your blood pressure is 120/80 to 140/90, you could be at risk of developing high blood pressure.  Speak to a pharmacist or doctor for some advice. There are free resources to help with simple lifestyle changes you can make, such as www.nhs.uk/live-well

For more information on managing your blood pressure, visit: www.nwlondonicb.nhs.uk/hypertension

Ealing Council recently published its Health of the Borough report to show how it is responding to the inequalities and barriers to healthcare that were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on managing your blood pressure, visit: www.nwlondonicb.nhs.uk/hypertension