Boots has relaunched its free 15-minute Health MOTs for adults over-40 in England.
The service includes blood pressure checks, which can detect high blood pressure – an often symptomless condition.
This initiative aims to identify health risks early, particularly for those who may be unaware of potential issues.
Boots warned that high blood pressure (hypertension) typically presents no visible symptoms.
Boots has relaunched its free 15-minute Health MOT
PA
However, despite a lack of warning signs, the condition can lead to “serious health problems” including heart attacks and strokes.
The silent nature of high blood pressure makes regular checks particularly important for maintaining good health.
Boots’ MOT relaunch comes at a good time, as an estimated five million people in the UK are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Research has found half of UK adults who haven’t checked their blood pressure in the past year cite feeling healthy as their reason for not doing so.
The free Health MOT includes an NHS blood pressure check, optional BMI calculation and waist circumference measurement, as well as healthy living advice.
It is available to people in England over-40 who do not have an existing diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Deputy superintendent pharmacist at Boots Aimi Dickinson commented: “High blood pressure is something that can affect any of us, especially as we get older and even if we feel totally healthy.
“Most people with high blood pressure will not have any symptoms, so it is important to get your blood pressure checked if you are 40 and over.
“The free Health MOT at Boots takes just 15 minutes and if we do identify high blood pressure at the appointment, we will advise on the most appropriate next steps, which may be a 24-hour at-home blood pressure measurement or referral to your GP.
“While a diagnosis of high blood pressure might feel a little overwhelming, there are healthy lifestyle factors that we can consider to help support our overall health, including our blood pressure.”
The pharmacist also shared seven healthy lifestyle tips for managing high blood pressure.
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Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for blood pressure management
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How to keep high blood pressure under control
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, so maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce the risks of high blood pressure and the associated risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
It is really important to eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. You should also limit the amount of salt in your diet.
Exercise regularly
Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like cycling, fast walking or swimming a week. If you have any health concerns or have not exercised for some time, check in with your GP first.
Limit alcohol
If you drink alcohol regularly it can increase your blood pressure over time. The NHS advise that men and women should not drink more than 14 units a week and that if you do drink alcohol, these units should be spread over three or more days.
Quit smoking
Smoking narrows the arteries, which can increase blood pressure. Smoking also increases the risks of other health concerns. Boots offers a variety of support to help people stop smoking.
Manage everyday stress
While everyday stress is a normal bodily response to daily challenges, prolonged periods of everyday stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Mindfulness, breathing and talking to family and friends are all small things you can do to help lower feelings of stress.
Prioritise sleep
Sleeping for less than five hours a night can contribute to high blood pressure along with conditions such as insomnia; it’s so important we get enough rest through sleeping.
Boots recently issued a health warning as Paracetamol displays a major packaging error.