What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

Hypertension – more commonly known as high blood pressure – is a serious condition where your heart has to consistently work harder to pump blood around your body. If untreated, the arteries can stiffen and narrow, making it easier for fatty material to clog them up and cause heart and circulatory diseases or heart attack and stroke. More information on hypertension is available on the NHS website.

 

Why use the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of premature death in England. Hypertension is the biggest risk factor for CVD and is one of the top five risk factors for all premature deaths and disability in England. Early detection, and subsequent treatment, of hypertension is vital in reducing the risk of CVD via the subsequent treatments available from your GP. An estimated 5.5 million people have undiagnosed hypertension across the country. collins is offering the Hypertension Case Finding Service on behalf of the NHS to help early detection of the issue.

Is the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service Suitable for me? 

The service is available in over 1000 stores across England, you can find and book an appointment at your nearest store

 

Patients eligible for this service:

• If you are aged 40 years or older and you do not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension.

• If you are under 40 and have a recognised family history of hypertension.*

• If you have been referred by your GP for the measurement of blood pressure.

*This is at the healthcare professional’s discretion.

HOW IT WORKS

STEP 1

Visit a collins store and ask our pharmacy team about the Blood Pressure Checking Service to see if you are eligible

STEP 2

The healthcare professional will conduct an initial consultation in a private room and will take blood pressure measurements

STEP 3

The healthcare professional will discuss your results with you and will offer advice

Where indicated, healthcare professionals may offer a blood pressure monitor for you to take home, to understand your blood pressure measurements in more detail, throughout the day and night, over a 24 hour period

How long will this take?

The initial blood pressure check will take between 10-15 minutes. If you require the 24 hour blood pressure monitoring your healthcare professional will discuss this with you.

Where is this service available?

The service is currently available in selected stores, so please ask your local Collins Pharmacy team if they are participating or use the store locator making sure you select the Hypertension Case Finding Service filter.

How will the Blood Pressure Check Service help me?

The Hypertension Case Finding Service will give you the opportunity to understand what your blood pressure reading is and whether it is in the low, normal or high range. Our healthcare professionals will then be able to advise you accordingly on ways to manage your blood pressure, and where required can refer you back to your GP. If a new medicine is prescribed by your GP, you can return to a Collins store to be offered help and advice on your new medicine, with our New Medicine Service.

Benefits

• Confidential: Speak to our healthcare professional in a private consultation room

• Accessible: This service is available in selected stores across England

• Free: This is an NHS service and is free of charge to eligible patients