Pharmacy Services
Blood Pressure Checking
Changes in blood pressure don’t always have symptoms so ensure you have regular checks to highlight any health concerns.
Changes in blood pressure don’t always have symptoms so ensure you have regular checks to highlight any health concerns.
Get peace of mind with our blood pressure checking service
Did you know that high blood pressure affects around a third of adults in the UK? Or that high blood pressure causes over 20% of heart attacks and 50% of strokes?
Many people do not realise they have high blood pressure until it is too late.
That’s why the NHS recommends that everyone over the age of 40 has their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
Pop into your local Whitworth Pharmacy and we can check your blood pressure for you. It’s quick, easy and very convenient.
During a blood pressure check, you will be taken to a private consultation room. There, a trained member of the Whitworth Pharmacy team will take your blood pressure.
They do this by placing a cuff onto your upper arm and gently inflating. Then they will slowly release the pressure of the cuff and use a stethoscope to listen to your pulse. Using this information, they can calculate your blood pressure.
Once they have your result, they can explain whether you have high blood pressure, what the numbers mean and provide any advice and support. They might advise you to make changes such as:
Following a healthy balanced diet
Restricting your salt intake
Exercising regularly
Cutting down on alcohol
Stopping smoking
If necessary, they can also refer you to a doctor.
If you have already had a test with a healthcare professional and you would prefer to monitor your blood pressure at home, you can buy a home blood pressure monitor in store or in our online shop.
The blood pressure checks are for everyone who is concerned or curious about their blood pressure. The NHS advises that all adults over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
Certain groups of people are at a higher risk of developing blood pressure problems. This includes those;
With a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease
Who are overweight
Who don’t do much exercise
Who drink more than 2-3 alcohol units per day for women or 3-4 units per day for men.
Who eat a diet high in salt or eat lots of processed foods
Who are of Asian or African-Caribbean descent
Who are older- those over 60 have 50% chance of having high blood pressure
Who don’t eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day
Our pharmacy team will be happy to discuss any blood pressure concerns you have.
Frequently asked questions:
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All of our pharmacies offer a blood pressure check service.
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Our blood pressure checking service is NHS-funded!
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You can expect to take around 15 minutes for your blood pressure check. If we need to discuss any issues with you, this might take slightly longer.
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As a general guide a normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
A high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher.
And a low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
High blood pressure can be treated and often prevented. If you haven’t had it checked in a while, then you can get a blood pressure check at your local Whitworth Pharmacy. Why not pop in if you're concerned?