Blood Pressure Checks

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and a silent threat, affecting over 5.5 million undiagnosed individuals in England. Early detection is crucial to reduce CVD risks. Amidst a decline in monitoring due to COVID-19, Southdowns Pharmacy Group partners with the NHS to offer Blood Pressure Checks across Emsworth, Havant, Leigh Park and Rowlands Castle.

What is High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension, also known as High Blood Pressure, is a common condition whereby the long-term force of blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health severe problems.

Unfortunately, Hypertension does not portray any noticeable symptoms and the only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked, therefore it is important to get regular checkups from your GP or your nearest community pharmacy that offers Blood Pressure Checks. If left untreated, it can increase your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

The causes of high blood pressure are not always clear, however, you may be at a higher risk if you:

• eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
• do not do enough exercise
• are overweight
• drink too much alcohol or caffeine-based drinks
• smoke regularly
• are over the age of 65
• are sleep-deprived or have disturbed sleep
• have a relative with high blood pressure
• are of black African or black Caribbean descent
• live in a deprived area

How to Reduce Blood Pressure

There are lifestyle changes that you can make that can help prevent developing Hypertension, or they may help you reduce it.

You should:

• exercise regularly
• monitor your salt intake and drink plenty of water
• increase your fibre intake and always aim to get your 5 a day
• lose some weight (if your BMI is above 25)
• stop smoking
• reduce alcohol & caffeine intake
• focus on getting good sleep

Get Your Blood Pressure Check

Our service is available at Emsworth, Davies and Bosmere Pharmacies.

This service works to identify people in our community who are at risk of hypertension. Simply book an appointment to get your blood pressure checked and following the results we will assist in giving you healthy living advice as well as sign-post you to the necessary healthcare professionals if needed.

The following patients are eligible to receive this service:

• Adults 40+ years old who do not have a diagnosis of hypertension
• Adults under the age of 40 with a family history of hypertension (this is at our pharmacist’s discretion and appointment availability)
• Self-requested adults between the ages of 35-39 (this is at our pharmacist’s discretion and appointment availability)

If you are not eligible, we offer private hypertension checks for the cost of £10.

To book an appointment get in touch with our friendly team or Visit our nearest branch today!