What’s it like to get a blood pressure test?

Getting your blood pressure tested is a great way to help protect your brain health.

That’s because high blood pressure can increase your risk of several health conditions, including dementia.

And according to a new NHS campaign, 4.2 million of us could be living with high blood pressure without even knowing it.

To mark the launch of the campaign, we spoke with our supporter, Andy Watts, about what it’s really like to get a blood pressure test. He also spoke about why he recommends it as a brilliant way to help give back to your brain.

Blood pressure and brain health

Blood pressure is a measure of the force our hearts use to pump blood around the body.

If a person’s blood pressure is too high, it may cause damage to blood vessels. This can reduce blood flow to different parts of the body, including the brain.

This, in turn, can affect our ability to think and remember, and also increase our risk of developing dementia.

To find out more, read our previous explainer on the link between blood pressure and brain health, written by Prof Rob Howard.

When should I get a test?

If you’re over the age of forty, it’s a good idea to get your blood pressure checked regularly, even if you have no concerns about your health.

That’s because high blood pressure often has no symptoms, and can easily go undiagnosed.

Our supporter, Andy Watts, takes regular readings to monitor his slightly raised blood pressure, also known as pre-hypertension.

 

“I take a reading every month so I can plot the trends and adjust my diet and activity.”

“This helps me make sure my blood pressure is within a healthy range.”

Where can I get one?

Getting a blood pressure test is easier than you might think.

Most people get tested at their local pharmacy – it’s very convenient, and you don’t need to book in advance.

You can also buy a personal blood pressure monitor to use in your own home.

That’s exactly what Andy has done. “I take readings in my lounge at home,” he says, “as I have a reliable home blood pressure monitor.”

What’s it like?

If you haven’t been for a blood test in a while, you might need a reminder about how it works.

Whether you get your test at a pharmacy or at home, blood pressure machines look like a measuring device with an arm cuff attached.

This cuff will be wrapped around your arm and filled with air until it feels tight.

After this the cuff will deflate, and you should receive your results straight away. The whole process only takes a minute or two.

Andy described the experience of using his home blood pressure monitor as “extremely straightforward.”

If a healthcare professional is doing the test for you, they will talk to you about what your results mean.

Depending on the results they might give you advice to support healthy living, or advise you to see a GP.

You can also use the NHS’s free online tool to interpret the reading yourself.

Why is it so important?

There are no clues when it comes to high blood pressure.

Left untreated, It can increase your risk of many health conditions, including heart attacks, strokes and dementia.

The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a test.

Andy views his regular blood pressure readings as a “key indicator” of his overall health and wellbeing.

And the good news is, if you know you have high blood pressure, there are lots of things you can do to manage it.

“If you have high blood pressure, you can address it with small alterations to your lifestyle,” Andy explains. “This could include being physically active, or reducing your salt intake.”

A doctor may also prescribe medication to help manage the condition.

You can find out more about treating high blood pressure on the NHS website.

Get your blood pressure checked today

As Andy puts it, high blood pressure is a “silent killer and also impacts negatively on brain health.”

But by getting your blood pressure checked regularly, you’ll be in a better position to take small, positive steps to manage it if needed.

Fortunately, getting a blood pressure test at your local pharmacy is quick and easy.

And if you’re more than forty years old and live in England, you may be able to access the service for free.

Visit the NHS website to find your nearest eligible pharmacy and get your test today.