Hypertension is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia. According to the British Heart Foundation, around one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, and roughly half of those are completely unaware of it. A five-minute check at your local pharmacy could quite literally save your life.

What the Numbers Actually Mean Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg):

• **Systolic** (the top number) — the pressure when your heart contracts and pushes blood out.
• **Diastolic** (the bottom number) — the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.

A reading **below 120/80 mmHg** is considered ideal. Readings between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg fall into the ‘high-normal’ range and warrant lifestyle attention. Consistently above **140/90 mmHg** is classified as hypertension and usually requires treatment.

It is important to remember that a single high reading does not mean you have hypertension — stress, caffeine, recent exercise and even a full bladder can all push numbers up temporarily. Diagnosis usually requires several readings taken on different occasions, sometimes supported by a 24-hour ambulatory monitor.

Who Is at Risk? Some risk factors are unavoidable, but most are within our control:

• **Age** — risk rises sharply after 65.
• **Family history** — a parent or sibling with hypertension increases your odds.
• **Ethnicity** — people of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian descent are at higher risk.
• **Diet** — particularly high salt intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption.
• **Physical inactivity** — less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
• **Excess weight** — even a modest reduction in BMI lowers blood pressure measurably.
• **Alcohol** — regularly drinking above the 14-units-per-week guideline.
• **Smoking** — damages blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis.
• **Stress and poor sleep** — both raise long-term cardiovascular risk.

Free Blood Pressure Checks at Riviera Riviera Health Pharmacy offers **free NHS-funded blood pressure checks** to anyone aged 40 and over. No appointment is needed — simply pop in, and one of our trained team members will take your reading using a calibrated upper-arm monitor in a private consultation area. The whole appointment takes around ten minutes, and you’ll leave with a clear understanding of your numbers and what they mean.

If your reading is high, we can offer an ambulatory monitor for 24 hours of readings at home and at work, which gives a far more accurate picture than a one-off check. The results are shared with your GP to support diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Lifestyle Changes That Make a Real Difference The good news is that hypertension responds extremely well to lifestyle changes. Combined, these can lower systolic pressure by 20 mmHg or more — often enough to avoid medication altogether.

• **Reduce salt** to under 6 g per day (a single teaspoon). Much of our intake is hidden in bread, processed meats and ready meals.
• **Move more** — 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week, is enough to make a real impact.
• **Eat the rainbow** — aim for at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. The Mediterranean and DASH diets are both proven to lower blood pressure.
• **Cut back on alcohol** — alcohol-free days each week help your liver and your heart.
• **Stop smoking** — every cigarette raises blood pressure for around half an hour. Quitting reverses much of the damage within a year.
• **Lose excess weight** — even a 5 kg loss can drop systolic pressure by 5 mmHg.

When Medication Is Needed If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, modern blood pressure medications are safe, effective and well tolerated. Common options include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, ARBs and thiazide-like diuretics. Many patients are surprised to learn that treatment is usually painless, inexpensive and doesn’t have to mean side effects. Our pharmacists are always happy to review your medication and answer any concerns.

Don’t wait for a warning sign — there usually isn’t one. Visit Riviera Health Pharmacy this week for your free blood pressure check.