Millions urged to get free NHS check for ‘silent killer’

Millions of people are being urged to get checks for a condition which has been described as the “silent killer”.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

Up to 4.2 million people in England are thought to be living with high blood pressure without knowing it – around a third of all those with the condition.

Now, a new NHS Get Your Blood Pressure Checked campaign has been launched, backed by health charities, to warn people the condition often has no symptoms.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said: “High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health consequences.

“The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a simple, non-invasive blood pressure test.

“Even if you are diagnosed, the good news is that it’s usually easily treatable.

“Getting your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy is free, quick and you don’t even need an appointment, so please go for a check today – it could save your life.”

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Source: The Independent, 11 March 2024