What is high blood pressure?
Sustained pressure above 140/90 mmHg in the clinic (or 135/85 mmHg at home) is high. It usually has no symptoms but quietly increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and dementia. About 1 in 4 UK adults have it, and around half don’t know.
Who is at risk?
Risk rises with age, family history, weight, salt intake, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, and stress. South Asian and African-Caribbean adults develop hypertension earlier than average. NHS recommends a check at least every 5 years for adults 40+.
What happens at the appointment?
Pharmacist measures your BP twice with a clinical-grade device, in a quiet consultation room. If readings are high, we offer ABPM (24-hour ambulatory monitoring) referral and a same-day letter to your GP. All readings stay on your NHS record.