NHS Mid and South Essex is raising awareness about regular blood pressure checks.
High blood pressure has no symptoms and can cause serious heart and circulatory illnesses.
Take five minutes out of your day to get checked.
Joan, 73, from Southend shares her experience of monitoring her blood pressure at home:
“I started checking my blood pressure at home over a decade ago when I was told I had high blood pressure. It’s important that I keep tabs and manage this properly. It can affect my health depending on how I’m feeling. I have other life-long conditions that my blood pressure can affect. I take many medicines including two for blood pressure.
“I am careful in managing my lifestyle. I have never smoked, and I do not drink. I try to avoid too many crowded areas because of my asthma. I move about as much as I can. There are certain foods I can’t eat because of allergies and conditions.
“I check my blood pressure twice a day. My husband bought a blood pressure monitor so I could do this at home. It’s like what most GPs use. Put the cuff around the top half of your arm. Then press a button. Take two or three readings.
“Checking my blood pressure helps me know when I need medical attention. If the readings aren’t normal for me, I contact my GP for advice. I will only attend hospital in an emergency. I encourage everyone to get themselves checked.”
For more information about blood pressure and your health, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
Find out more about high blood pressure at the NHS Mid and South Essex Invincible Feeling Invisible Danger page.
Invincible Feeling, Invisible Danger