Have you had your blood pressure measured recently?
Most of us could tell you the last time we stepped on the scales, or when we last had a check-up at the dentist. But ask when you last had your blood pressure measured, and there’s a good chance you won’t have an answer.
You’re not alone, more than four in ten UK adults don’t know their current blood pressure reading, even though it can tell you a huge amount about your long-term health.
This is exactly why Know Your Numbers! Week takes place every September. Running from 7th to 13th September, it’s the UK’s biggest free blood pressure testing and awareness campaign, encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to get their numbers checked.
High blood pressure is often called a ‘silent’ condition because it rarely causes any obvious symptoms, yet it remains the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK. If you’re not quite sure why blood pressure matters so much, or how often you should be getting checked, below we’ll look at why it’s worth knowing your numbers and how you can get tested.
Why blood pressure is worth knowing
High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels over time. Left unchecked, it can increase your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia, several of which most of us already know are linked to blood pressure, even if we don’t think much about our own.
Around half of us mistakenly believe high blood pressure causes noticeable symptoms, when in reality it’s often picked up only once something has already gone wrong, or when someone happens to have it checked for another reason. That’s a big part of why an estimated 4.2 million adults in the UK are currently living with high blood pressure without knowing it.
How often you should be checking your blood pressure
If you’re over 40, it’s recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, whether that’s with a home monitor, at a pharmacy, or during a GP appointment. If you’ve never had it checked, or can’t quite remember your last reading, Know Your Numbers! Week is as good a prompt as any to put that right.
A blood pressure check only takes a few minutes and is completely painless, so there’s really no reason to put it off. Knowing your numbers means you and your GP can spot any changes early on and make simple adjustments to your lifestyle or treatment long before they have a chance to become a bigger problem.
Getting your numbers checked
You don’t need to wait for a specific awareness week to get your blood pressure measured, but it’s a good excuse if you’ve been putting it off. Whether your reading turns out to be perfectly normal or something worth keeping an eye on, having that information puts you back in control of your own health.
At EssexPrivateGP, our health checks are designed to give you a clear picture of your overall health, not just your blood pressure. We’ll check your numbers, talk you through exactly what they mean, and help you understand what steps, if any, are worth taking to look after your heart health for the long term.
