High blood pressure
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About high blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is where the force of blood pressing against the artery walls is too high. It is measured using a blood pressure monitor either in a healthcare setting or some people may have one at home. If you’re under 80 years of age, you’re usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is higher than 140/90mmHg when checked by a healthcare professional, or higher than 135/85 when checked at home.
High blood pressure doesn’t usually have any symptoms so people could have it without realising it. So the only way to know is to get it checked.
You are more likely to get hypertension as you get older and if you have a family history of it. Factors in your lifestyle can put you at increased risk, for example feeling stressed over a long period, having an unhealthy diet, being overweight, smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
You are also at higher risk if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background, and in these cases it can also occur at a much younger age than in someone of White ethnic origin.
It is easy to get your blood pressure checked and it only takes a few minutes
Where to get your blood pressure checked
- Your local pharmacy: Many pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over. Search for a pharmacy that offers this service near you.
- Your GP practice: Some practices have self blood pressure monitors in the reception area or waiting room that you can use without needing an appointment. If your practice has this, just pop in or use it when you are there.
- NHS Health Check: If you’re over 40, you can have the test done as part of an NHS Health Check, which is offered to adults in England aged 40 to 74 every 5 years. Do take your GP practice up on the offer when you are invited.
- Your employer: Some employers periodically offer health checks, including blood pressure checks. Ask your employer for details.
- At home: If you want to check your blood pressure regularly at home, you can buy a digital blood pressure machine that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, not your wrist or finger.
- NHS and community events: Sometimes health checks, including blood pressure checks, are available at local events in your community. Take the opportunity to get checked when you see this is available.
If high blood pressure is identified by a health practitioner who isn’t part of your GP practice, it is important that you do make an appointment with your practice as soon as possible so they can support you to lower it, either naturally or using medication, and monitor your blood pressure more regularly.
Blood pressure videos
Preventing high blood pressure
Your lifestyle can put you at increased risk of high blood pressure, for example feeling stressed over a long period, having an unhealthy diet, being overweight, smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Even if you don’t have high blood pressure now, there are local sources of support to help prevent you from getting it.
- Your Healthy Kitchen: Learn how to cook traditional Indian meals with a healthy twist.
- Live Well Leicester: Health and wellbeing support for Leicester residents, including eating well, reducing alcohol, stopping smoking and being active.
- A healthier you in Leicestershire: Support for Leicestershire residents to help you achieve your health goals, including losing weight, stopping smoking and improving your health and wellbeing.
- Health and Wellbeing Rutland: A guide to health services available in Rutland.
- Get support with stress and your mental health: Find advice, self-care options and support services and in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
- Start a conversation campaign: Further mental health support for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland residents.
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