According to NHS executives, free blood pressure tests at pharmacies may save more than 4,000 lives.
The checks for those 40 and older started to be distributed by the government in October. By 2025, they expect 5.5 million individuals to accept the offer, of whom 550,000 are expected to need treatment for high blood pressure.
Over the following five years, according to NHS England, the effort might save 5,500 heart attacks, 8,140 strokes, and save 4,400 lives.
In England, there are 8,423 businesses that provide walk-in check service. Each reading taken by a chemist is paid up to £45, and the findings are given to GPs for assessment.
The “fast and simple” tests, according to Dr. Shahed Ahmad, national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention for NHS England, “may add years to your life.”
According to Dr. Ahmad, the NHS is making it simpler than ever for patients with high blood pressure to be recognised and treated early, enabling them to enjoy healthier lives for longer.
If you are qualified, please take advantage of your free test as soon as possible. Getting tested at your neighbourhood pharmacy is simple and fast, and it might add years to your life by allowing you to start receiving the therapy or medicine you need early.
The tests are in line with the NHS Long Term Plan’s goals to save more than 150,000 instances of dementia, heart attacks, and strokes.
This is just one of many NHS projects aimed at achieving our Long Term Plan aspirations of saving thousands of lives from the leading killer illnesses and enabling ever-increasing numbers of people to take responsibility for their own health, said Dr. Ahmed.
Anyone 40 years of age and older who has not previously received a diagnosis of high blood pressure may get a blood pressure check from a neighbourhood pharmacist.
When levels are discovered to be high, patients will get lifestyle recommendations and a referral to a GP or other healthcare provider.
In pilot programmes, individuals with hypertension have been given meetings with social prescribers who may recommend exercise courses, provide assistance with cooking or mental health difficulties, or both.
It comes amid worries that the number of heart-related fatalities has increased since the epidemic, as a result of people avoiding doctors out of worry for their workload or having trouble getting treatment.
Around 1,000 more people than normal die each week from causes other than cancer, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Experts have warned that this trend has been fueled by growing rates of diabetes and heart disease.
We’re happy that so many people are using high street blood pressure checks, said Charlotte Nicholls, director of policy at the Stroke Association.
“Something this simple really saves lives,” It’s really encouraging that so many individuals have had their blood pressure tested owing to this campaign, said John Maingay, Director of Policy and Influencing at the British Heart Foundation. “I have no doubt that this will save lives,” he said.
Such programmes are essential in reducing the heavy burden on the NHS by assisting in the prevention of thousands of heart attacks and strokes.
The silent killer is high blood pressure. It dramatically increases the risk of a life-threatening heart attack or stroke yet often shows no symptoms.
“Considering that an estimated 4.8 million individuals live with high blood pressure without realising it, we encourage everyone to take advantage of these free checkups at their neighbourhood drugstore.
It just takes five minutes, and it could shield you against cardiac issues in the future.