NHS service
NHS Blood Pressure Check Service
A free NHS blood pressure check for adults — catch high blood pressure early.
High blood pressure (hypertension) usually has no symptoms, but left untreated it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. The NHS Blood Pressure Check Service — the public name for the NHS Hypertension Case-Finding Service — lets you get checked quickly and free at our pharmacy.
Who it is for
The check is aimed at adults aged 40 and over who have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Younger adults can also be checked on request, if they have risk factors, or if referred by a GP. You do not need an appointment or a referral — you can walk in or contact us.
What happens
A member of the pharmacy team takes a clinic blood pressure reading using a validated monitor in a private area. The reading is explained to you there and then. If it is raised, we can offer a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) — a small device you wear for a day that takes readings as you go about normal life, which gives a more accurate picture than a single reading.
What happens next
Your results are shared with your GP where appropriate, so any follow-up or treatment can be arranged without you having to repeat the process. Catching high blood pressure early means it can be managed before it causes harm.
Good to know
This is a check, not a diagnosis — a diagnosis of high blood pressure is made by your GP, often using the 24-hour monitor results. The service is free on the NHS.