Tesco is encouraging the public to take up a free NHS blood pressure check and working with British Heart Foundation to share useful information on blood pressure with Brits who, according to a new survey, feel they don’t have the time or understanding of blood pressure checks.*
Tesco is continuing to work with British Heart Foundation to encourage customers and colleagues to think about heart health and get a free blood pressure check at their local Tesco pharmacy.
With 15% of adults saying that lack of time is the main reason they don’t get their blood pressure checked, Tesco and British Heart foundation want to spread the word that a quick and easy check could help detect cases of undiagnosed high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Around 50% of cardiovascular events are associated with high blood pressure, and the most cited reason for not getting blood pressure regularly checked amongst those surveyed was not having knowledge of any issues with their heart, which is why it is still important to get regular blood pressure checks.
Brits are unsure what age to start getting blood pressure checks, with the mean average age people think they should start getting their blood pressure checked being 36 years old. Close to a third (33%) of respondents think they should start getting their blood pressure checked at 30-49 years old, 15% of people thinking they should start getting checked at 50-69 years old, and less than 1 in 5, 17%, identifying 18-21 as an age to have your blood pressure checked.
Many Brits struggled with how to understand their blood pressure readings with over a third (34%) not confident in knowing the range of a normal blood pressure, rising to 40% of respondents not knowing the normal range when asking those aged over 55. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents only somewhat understand the numbers that appear on blood pressure readings, and a further 16% have no understanding of the numbers on blood pressure readings at all.
The research by Tesco aims to help get Britain clued up about their blood pressure, coinciding with British Heart Foundation’s campaign to “Keep hearts beating this Heart Month” throughout February.
Tesco is reminding the public about the importance of quick, potentially life-saving blood pressure checks, which are available at its in-store Tesco Pharmacies while doing a weekly shop, without needing an appointment – providing convenience.
Key things to know…
- If you’re a healthy adult aged 40 to 74, it’s a good idea to get your blood pressure checked every five years.
- When you have your blood pressure measured, the reading is written as two numbers. The first is when the pressure is at its highest, after the heart beats, pumping blood around the body (systolic) and the second is when it is at its lowest, while the heart is relaxed. For example, your reading might be something like 140/90 mmHg, which you would say as “140 over 90” (mmHg is a unit for measuring blood pressure).
- Normal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. if you are unsure about your blood pressure, you should consult your GP to determine what is considered normal for you based on your individual health factors.
- A blood pressure check at a Tesco Pharmacy only takes around 10 minutes.
British Heart Foundation estimates that up to five million people could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK, and the NHS estimates that over a five-year period, blood pressure checks at local pharmacies could prevent over 5,000 heart attacks, over 8,000 strokes and save thousands of lives in England alone.
Anjula Devi, chef, food writer and author, who has a personal relationship with heart health, losing both her parents to diabetes related heart disease, is also Indian Cuisine Consultant Chef for Manchester United FC.
Supporting the Tesco campaign, Anjula had her blood pressure checked at the Tesco Gatwick Extra store and said:“Having been diagnosed with high blood pressure myself two years ago, that insight gave me the opportunity to make changes which might well have saved my life. Now at 60, I’m in better health than I was in my thirties. I’m delighted to be a part of such a meaningful campaign. Everybody should get their blood pressure checked!”
To support British Heart Foundation’s Heart Month, Anjula Devi has also created a special recipe for Red lentils topped with sweet potatoes & mixed roasted seeds.
Tesco Pharmacy Services Manager, Jonathan Bridgett, said:
“We know how important it is for people to get their blood pressure checked, and seeing some of the survey results shows that many people don’t realise just how convenient and quick a free check in a Tesco Pharmacy can be, especially without the need for an appointment. People can make a number of small changes to their lifestyle that support heart health, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and I’m happy to be working with British Heart Foundation again to highlight this important issue and hopefully prevent heart attacks and strokes.”
Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation, said:
“High blood pressure is often easy to treat, but if left undiagnosed it can cause serious illness – around half of all heart attacks and strokes in the UK are associated with hypertension, which often doesn’t have any symptoms. This is why it is crucial to get your blood pressure checked – the test is quick, and easy to do, and taking ten minutes out of your day while doing your weekly shop could end up saving your life.”
To find your nearest Tesco Pharmacy and book a free blood pressure check visit: www.tesco.com/pharmacy
Tesco has also previously created a series of recipes, in association with British Heart Foundation, that help people make positive changes to support heart health. Customers can visit the Tesco Real Food Hub for inspiration.
A social media video of Anjula’s blood pressure check is available on Instagram here and a video of Anjula cooking her recipe will also be shared on @tesco.news and @tescofood on Instagram.
