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.
It is estimated that 88,000 people in mid and south Essex are living with the condition undiagnosed. Take five minutes out of your day to get checked.
Checking your blood pressure is an essential part of maintaining good heart health.
Les, 74, from Chelmsford, is an excellent example of how home blood pressure monitoring can support both personal wellbeing and caregiving responsibilities. In 2003, Les was diagnosed with high blood pressure during a health check with his GP. He continued to see his GP to check his blood pressure and keep his medication under review.
In 2011, Les started to take home blood pressure readings on the advice of his GP. He told us: “I find it easy to monitor my blood pressure at home. I fit the cuff around the top half of my bare arm. Then, I activate the machine to take a reading.”
Home blood pressure monitors are available from around £20, making it a convenient and affordable way to monitor heart health at home. You can find out more about at home monitors on the British Heart Foundation website.
Good health matters to Les because he’s a full-time carer for his wife, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He also uses his blood pressure monitor to take his wife’s blood pressure. This is useful as Les can share her readings with MS nurses or with the hospital, when needed.
Over the years, Les has made lifestyle changes to support his heart health. He told us: “I cut out sugar when I first realised my blood pressure was high,” adding, “I have always tried to cook sensibly and enjoy using fresh ingredients.”
Having seen the benefits firsthand, Les wants others to know how useful home blood pressure monitoring can be. “I wish I had known the signs of high blood pressure earlier. When I started monitoring my blood pressure at home, I found the most important benefit was learning about your body which helps to maintain your health. It’s also useful to know when speaking to health professionals.”
Understanding your blood pressure is one of the simplest ways to stay in control of your heart health. Les has been able to improve his own health through home blood pressure monitoring and healthy lifestyle changes.
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