Early Detection Matters: Hypertension Case-Finding Service Available
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease and stroke in the UK, yet most people who have it don’t know. NHS England estimates that around 4.1 million people in England could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure right now, and searches for blood pressure advice on NHS.UK have climbed sharply over the past year. Routine blood pressure checks were disrupted during the pandemic, leaving many cases undiagnosed. As a result, early detection remains an important NHS priority. That’s why S&S Chemists offers the Hypertension Case Finding Service in Harrow, working alongside the NHS to help local patients get checked, understood, and supported.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, happens when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls stays too high for too long. Left unchecked, it puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, raising your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. One of the biggest challenges is that high blood pressure usually causes no noticeable symptoms. Many people feel perfectly well and only discover they have it during a routine check. This is why it is often called the silent killer. A blood pressure check, whether at your GP surgery or your local pharmacy, is the simplest and most reliable way to find out whether your blood pressure is within a healthy range.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
There is rarely a single cause, but several factors can push your numbers up, including:
– eating too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables
– getting little regular exercise
– carrying excess weight
– drinking more alcohol or caffeine than recommended
– smoking
– getting older, particularly past 65
– poor or disrupted sleep
– a family history of high blood pressure
– Black African or Black Caribbean heritage
– living in a more deprived area, where healthy food and exercise can be harder to access
How Can You Lower Your Blood Pressure?
Even small lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference to your blood pressure over time. Whether your aim is to reduce your risk of developing hypertension or to bring an existing reading down, NICE guidance recommends focusing on a few key habits:
– move more, aiming for regular activity most days
– cut back on salt and stay well hydrated
– eat more fibre and hit your five a day
– work towards a healthy weight if your BMI is above 25
– stop smoking
– cut down on alcohol and caffeine
– prioritise consistent, good quality sleep
About Our Hypertension Case-Finding Service
Our pharmacy team runs the NHS Hypertension Case-Finding Service to spot high blood pressure in people who have not been diagnosed before. Book an appointment and we will check your blood pressure, talk you through what the numbers mean, and give you practical, personalised advice on next steps. If anything needs following up, we will refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional promptly.
This service is generally available to:
– Adults aged 40 and over who have not been diagnosed with hypertension
– Adults under 40 with a family history of high blood pressure, subject to our pharmacist’s discretion and appointment availability
– Self-referred adults aged 35 to 39, again at our pharmacist’s discretion and depending on availability
Please note, this service is not for patients whose blood pressure is already being monitored regularly by a healthcare professional, and it is not intended for those simply wanting frequent, repeat checks outside of clinical need.
If you have not had your blood pressure checked recently, it is worth getting it done. The check takes just a few minutes and can pick up high blood pressure before you notice any symptoms. If you live in Hillside, Harrow Road or nearby areas including Ealing, Acton, Notting Hill, Harlesden, Harrow, Wembley, Neasden or Cricklewood, you can get professional advice and support with your blood pressure close to home.