NHS encourage residents to check blood pressure
NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW are encouraging residents to check their blood pressure as part of the 2025 ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ campaign, which is led by Blood Pressure UK and supports the NHS 10-year plan’s commitment to focus on prevention alongside keeping people well in their communities.
The theme for this year is ‘looking for the missing millions’ and it is estimated that over five million adults aged from 18 to 64 years old may have undiagnosed high blood pressure. This figure covers the whole of the UK and this is one of the biggest risk factors for strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease; all of which have potential threats to an individual’s short / long term health.
At the age of twenty-six years old, a Hampshire resident called Anna believed that high blood pressure wouldn’t be something she would have to think about until much later in life. When she joined a local gym, her free health check flagged a blood pressure reading so high that the staff thought their machine was broken. After checking on three separate machines, it became very clear that the result was real. Anna was advised to see her GP immediately and was not allowed to use the gym in the meantime.
The next morning, her GP confirmed she had a dangerous reading of high blood pressure and prescribed beta blockers. Over the following weeks she underwent blood tests, kidney checks and an MRI scan, but no underlying cause was found. Now aged 32, Anna manages her health with daily medication and monitoring her blood pressure weekly at home.
Anna explained: “Finding out so young was such a shock. I never thought this would happen, especially while being young, fit, and healthy. Knowing my numbers has helped me take control and save my life. I’d encourage anyone, no matter your age, to check your blood pressure.”
Dr Zaid Hirmiz, a Hampshire GP and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. You can feel perfectly well but still be at risk of life-threatening conditions such as strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease. That’s why it is so important to regularly check your blood pressure. Anna’s story shows that it’s not just something that affects older adults. Knowing your numbers really can save your life.”
Residents have been advised that there are several ways that they can get their blood pressure checked; including contacting their GP and visiting their local pharmacy. They are further able to use a blood pressure monitor to check it at home and more information about measuring this can be found via this link as well as resources for monitoring.
There are simple lifestyle choices that readers can make to help reduce your blood pressure; which include cutting down on salt by checking food labels and not adding more to their meals. Eating a balanced diet and keeping active can also help alongside drinking less alcohol / reducing smoking; which can further improve physical and mental health in other ways too.
Readers can explore further information about the Know Your Numbers Week campaign via this link, which is accessible on a range of devices.
PICTURED ON NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW: Anna gets her blood pressure checked by medical professional as part of regular routine due to health condition.
