As Christmas, the New Year and other seasonal celebrations approach, NHS Mid and South Essex is calling on residents to make having a blood pressure check part of their festive preparations.
This simple, quick test is easy to access in many pharmacies across Essex, making it a convenient choice to tick off your to-do list while out Christmas shopping. This action could help protect your heart health into the new year and help prevent serious illness.
The call comes as recent data shows that more than 71,000 residents are now monitoring their blood pressure and sharing results with their GP. There is a growing trend in people monitoring their blood pressure, which could help prevent up to 710 heart attacks and over 1,000 strokes over the next five years according to the local NHS.
Efforts by local healthcare teams to raise awareness of blood pressure have led to huge rises in self-monitoring. By November 2025, more than 71,000 people had checked their blood pressure at home and shared results with their GP – around 18% more than in 2024 and over 220% more than in 2021.
The holidays are a time for celebration, but richer foods, more alcohol, and festive stress can all raise blood pressure – so keep thinking about your heart in 2025 and beyond and have a blood pressure check, particularly if you haven’t had one recently.
With the right help, tools and information, we know that more people are feeling confident to look after, monitor and manage their blood pressure. This is key to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and protecting your heart health for years to come.
Neil Magee, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and System Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease at NHS Mid and South Essex
High blood pressure often has no symptoms, yet it’s one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease and stroke. If it isn’t found and treated, it can lead to serious health problems including heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage.
Local initiatives such as free blood pressure checks at pharmacies, public heart health events, and the local NHS raising awareness through its ‘Invincible Feeling, Invisible Danger’ campaign have made it easier than ever for residents to know how they can monitor their blood pressure and take control of their health.
How to have a blood pressure check
Residents can monitor their blood pressure:
- using a blood pressure monitor at home
- 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 (Note: this offer is not currently available in Southend or Thurrock libraries)
- as part of an NHS Health Check if recently invited.
Find out from Dr Reg Rehal, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, why blood pressure checks are so important:
‘Understanding blood pressure’ videoFor more information about blood pressure and your health, speak to your pharmacist or GP or visit:
Invincible Feeling, Invisible Danger