Only a blood pressure test can determine whether your blood pressure is low or high. Understanding your results is crucial for controlling high blood pressure. Keep reading to find out where to get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands.
What are the types of blood pressure?
The British Heart Foundation has identified five blood pressure ranges. These include:
Normal
Blood pressure levels that are lower than 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal. If your results fall into this category, keep up your heart-healthy routines of eating a balanced diet and working out frequently.
Elevated
Consider elevated blood pressure when readings consistently fall between 120 and 129 systolic and are less than 80 mm Hg diastolic If they don’t take steps to control it, those with elevated levels are more prone to develop high blood pressure.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Stage 1 hypertension is defined as blood pressure that consistently ranges between 130 and 139 systolic as well as 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors or pharmacists will probably suggest lifestyle changes and may perhaps think about adding blood pressure medication. This will usually be determined by the risk of getting Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), such as a heart attack or stroke.
Stage 2 hypertension
Diagnose yourself with Stage 2 hypertension if your blood pressure consistently registers at 140/90 mm Hg or higher This may require a combination of taking blood pressure medications and making lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis
Medical intervention is required for this severity of hypertension. Wait five minutes before taking a second reading if your blood pressure unexpectedly goes above 180/120 mm Hg. See your doctor right away if your results continue to be excessively high. You could be experiencing a hypertensive emergency. To receive emergency care, you can also dial NHS 111.
Don’t wait for your blood pressure to drop on its own if it is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are experiencing signs of organ damage such as chest pain, back pain, difficulty breathing, numbness or weakness, visual changes, or difficulty speaking. Get medical care right away.
Where can I get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands?
Arranging a blood pressure check is easy. Simply schedule an appointment with your general practitioner, practice nurse, or pharmacy. You can get them in a number of other places as well. It is worthwhile to look around because the checks should often be free.
- Your doctor’s surgery
- Your local pharmacy
- NHS Health Checks
- Some workplaces
- Some gyms and health clubs
- Local community health events
- Well man clinics for men
If you have recently checked your blood pressure outside of a hospital or doctor’s office and the reading was high, it is important to schedule a visit with your GP as soon as possible. The sooner you take action, the better your chances are of getting an accurate diagnosis and effectively managing your hypertension.
What is the hypertension Case Finding service?
The Hypertension Case Finding Service is an Advanced Service to support the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions for preventing cardiovascular disease.
This service is made up of 2 stages:
Stage 1 involves identifying those at risk of hypertension and providing them with blood pressure monitoring (clinic check).
Stage 2: Conduct 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring when necessary for a diagnosis of hypertension. Share the results with the patient’s doctor.
Where can I get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands?
Visit or book an appointment with your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch to get your free blood pressure check in the West Midlands. Get in touch with us for more information. You can also shop for home health monitoring devices online at Chemist.net.
This post was written on behalf of Knights Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor
