Kwik Fit in Stretford, Manchester collaborated with Well Pharmacy to offer blood pressure checks to staff and customers, as part of the NHS’s “Get Your Blood Pressure Checked” campaign.
The goal was to identify the “missing millions” who may not know they have high blood pressure. Up to 4.2 million people in England may have undiagnosed high blood pressure, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Checking blood pressure is simple and free for those over 40 at participating pharmacies. However, a new survey reveals that 9% of those over 40 have never had their blood pressure checked, compared to 3% who have never had their tyre pressure checked.
This follows statistics released by the NHS last week showed that mistakenly one in six (seventeen per cent) of those surveyed have put off having a blood pressure check because they don’t feel unhealthy or stressed and only one in six respondents (17 per cent) thought the condition has no symptoms.
Roger Griggs, Communications Director at Kwik Fit, said: “Just as you wouldn’t drive with flat or over inflated tyres, you shouldn’t ignore your blood pressure. It’s worrying to see how many people say they’ve never had their blood pressure checked, as it’s the only way to know whether you are affected by high blood pressure. Kwik Fit is proud to be supporting the NHS ‘Get Your Blood Pressure Checked’ campaign, which will have a lifesaving impact. Usually when we discuss pressure readings with customers we are focused on tyre care, but today we want to highlight the importance of blood pressure checks for drivers themselves. Unlike an under-inflated tyre, high blood pressure often has no symptoms, so we are encouraging our customers and staff who are over 40 and eligible to get their blood pressure checked for free in their local participating pharmacy.”
Ifti Khan, Pharmacy Superintendent for Well Pharmacy said: “We are delighted to be supporting the NHS Blood Pressure Check campaign with Kwik Fit to raise awareness of the importance of regularly checking your blood pressure. High blood pressure has very few noticeable symptoms – which is why it is known as the ‘silent killer’, but regular monitoring and simple lifestyle changes can be lifesaving. Well pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks to the over 40s in England and campaigns like this one highlight just how quick and easy it is to get yours checked”.
Find free blood pressure checks at pharmacies near you by searching “pharmacy blood pressure check” or visiting the NHS website. here.
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