Overview
- About 4.1 million people in England are estimated to have high blood pressure without knowing it, according to NHS England.
- Eligible adults in England can get a free check through the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service if they are over 40, not already diagnosed and have not had a check in the past six months.
- Checks are available at GP surgeries, participating community pharmacies including Lloyds and Well, and at pharmacy counters in major supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco.
- NHS website interest in high blood pressure rose sharply in 2025, with just over two million page visits, a 36% year‑on‑year increase.
- Health leaders warn hypertension often has no symptoms but increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia, and they urge under‑40s with risk factors to ask about eligibility.