High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer for a reason. You can have it for years without a single symptom, and the first sign can be the one you really didn't want, a stroke or a heart attack. The good news is, a check takes five minutes and we do it at the counter for free.
What the numbers mean
The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart pushes blood out. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when it relaxes. As a rough guide, under 120 over 80 is ideal, 120-139 over 80-89 is high-normal, and anything 140 over 90 or above is high enough to need a conversation.
Who should get checked
- Anyone over 40 who hasn't been checked in the last year
- Anyone with a family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack
- Anyone with diabetes, kidney disease or who is significantly overweight
- Anyone who's noticed unusual headaches, blurred vision or shortness of breath
A friendly nudge
Need a pharmacist, not Google?
Pop into Hedon Pharmacy on St Augustines Gate, or book a service online.
What we do at Hedon
A free walk-in reading at the counter, no appointment needed. If your number is high, we'll usually take a second reading after a few minutes of sitting quietly, because one high reading on its own can be a fluke. If it's persistently high, we'll send a written record back to your GP and talk you through what happens next.
What you can do today
Cut back on salt, get outside for a brisk walk most days, sleep more, drink less alcohol. Boring advice, but it works. Most people who change two of those four see a measurable drop within three months.
