NHS Norfolk and Waveney are urging local people to look after their heart and get their blood pressure checked, in the lead up to World Hypertension Day (17 May).

The call is part of the NHS ‘Your heart deserves some love’ campaign, which raises awareness of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it as it rarely has symptoms. High blood pressure can increase people’s risk of heart attacks and strokes and checking it is the only way to reduce your risk.

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes; but it is easy to treat, and these complications are completely preventable in most cases.

People can get their blood pressure checked at their GP practice or some pharmacies, alternatively small blood pressure monitors can be picked up for about £15-£25 and are easy to use.

If you’re a healthy adult aged 40 to 74, and live in England or Wales, you’ll be invited to a free NHS Health Check every five years, which will include a blood pressure check. Or, if you are eligible, you can book your health check online here: https://norfolkhealthchecks.reedwellbeing.com/

Dr Frankie Swords, Executive Medical Director, NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “World Hypertension Day reminds us how important it is to get our blood pressure checked.

Getting a check is the only way to find high blood pressure early, before it has a chance to cause serious health issues.

But, once you know you have it, high blood pressure is easy to treat with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication. And that treatment could prevent a heart attack or stroke, and even save your life!

So, if you’ve been invited for an NHS Health Check, please make sure you go to it, your heart deserves some love.”

Find out more about high blood pressure and the ‘your heart deserves some love campaign’: https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/bloodpressure

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• A ‘Your heart deserves some love’ campaign graphic can be accessed here.
  
• A headshot of Dr Frankie Swords can be accessed here.
  
• Please contact nwicb.pressoffice@nhs.net if you’d like more information or to arrange an interview or feature.