Over 400 residents across mid and south Essex have learned they have high blood pressure and need treatment, thanks to a local NHS community outreach programme that is helping people at risk receive support sooner.
Seventeen NHS teams from Primary Care Networks (PCNs) delivered 29 community events during 2025 as part of the Cardiovascular Disease Community Outreach Grants Scheme funded by NHS Mid and South Essex.
The events reached over 1,650 patients, offering blood pressure checks, health checks, and referrals to stop smoking and weight management support services.
Several residents attending the events discovered they had very high blood pressure and needed urgent intervention. One of them was sixty-three-year-old Kevin Collett from Braintree who attended a Healthy Heart event held by Braintree PCN. A blood pressure check revealed a reading of 192/115, which is significantly higher than the normal range.
I had a full clinical assessment, was immediately given a prescription and told to get some medication from a pharmacy just 100 yards down the road. I took the first dose at the pharmacy.
I went back to my GP shortly after for further investigations which included an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
Kevin Collett, Braintree
Kevin’s blood pressure is now within normal range. He said: “I had all these tests and follow-ups because my blood pressure was checked at this event. I wasn’t aware my blood pressure was that high and I could have had a heart attack or stroke. The one-to-one support has made a big difference.”
Through the community events programme, 484 residents were screened for high blood pressure. Of these, 89 – nearly 20% – were diagnosed and now have their blood pressure under control. As a result, an estimated 12 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented over the next five years.
This work is a major step toward our goal of ensuring that 80% of people with hypertension (high blood pressure) receive effective, targeted treatment. By reaching this ambition, we could prevent an estimated 137 heart attacks and 204 strokes over the next three years.
Dr Matt Sweeting, Executive Medical Director at NHS Mid and South Essex
This Heart Month, we want to encourage residents to think about their heart health and have a blood pressure check. High blood pressure affects one in four adults in the UK, and can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, heart disease and/or stroke.
These community events have made a real difference to people’s lives. They have helped us tackle health inequalities by reaching and engaging with at-risk communities, who often miss out on health support. Just under 20% of attendees were from more at-risk groups such as ethnic minorities and people with learning disabilities.
Dr Reg Rehal, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and System Clinical Lead for Cardio Metabolic Health
Check your heart health this Heart Month
Dr Rehal is encouraging all residents to check their blood pressure, which can be done:
- at a participating community pharmacy – just walk in and ask
- at their GP practice using a GP Surgery Pod (available in some practice receptions)
- through the Essex County Council blood pressure monitor library loan scheme
- using a blood pressure monitor at home
- as part of an NHS Health Check if recently invited.
Watch this ‘Understanding blood pressure’ video with Dr Rehal to learn why blood pressure checks are so important.
For more information about blood pressure, speak to your pharmacist or GP.