We Tried The New Private Blood Pressure Service At Boots And Here’s How It Went

You can’t see high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and most of the time, you can’t feel it either.

So when the chance came along to try out a new Private Blood Pressure Check Service at select Boots stores in Northern Ireland, I was keen to see how I fared after a recent health warning that mine was on the higher end of the normal scale.

Latest figures suggest there are up to 110,000 people in Northern Ireland living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, which if left untreated could result in circulatory diseases such as a heart attack or stroke.

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According to the British Heart Foundation, currently around 50% of heart attacks and strokes in Northern Ireland are related to high blood pressure.

The Boots Private Blood Pressure Check Service is currently available at 12 selected stores in Northern Ireland and can help patients. like me, identify and take the right steps to address high blood pressure.

Generally, hypertension is diagnosed with a consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90mmHg or more, when taken in a clinical setting such as a pharmacy or GP surgery. It is a serious condition where the heart works consistently harder to pump blood around the body.

During the appointment a specially trained Boots clinician, in this case Victoria White at Belfast’s Donegal Place store, measured my blood pressure from both arms and thoroughly explained the results to me.

My workplace blood test was a quick and painless experience. While I did register a normal reading of 136/101mg, I was made aware of the need to make some healthy lifestyle changes to bring that figure down and to have a follow-up appointment at my local GP surgery to monitor my blood pressure.

I also received personalised advice and was provided with a leaflet detailing my blood pressure reading, along with bespoke healthy living advice including diet, exercise and weight management.

Victoria said: “Patients will really benefit from understanding what their blood pressure numbers mean. In some cases, the early detection of high blood pressure can also help us spot the signs of potential serious health conditions and treat them more effectively and efficiently.

“Through this service, I can also offer comprehensive information and guidance on important life changes such as eating a healthy balanced diet, physical exercise and managing their weight to help reduce high blood pressure.”

People can experience high blood pressure without realising it and after my experience, I would encourage as many people as possible to make an appointment, particularly those who don’t normally seek help.

It only takes a few minutes, but it can make a huge difference.

The Boots Blood Pressure Check Service can be easily booked online or in-store and costs £15. The service is available to adults, aged 18 and over and not suitable for pregnant women who will be eligible for a free blood pressure check as part of routine check-ups.

The service is also not suitable for those with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or an irregular heartbeat. For more information visit Boots Private Hypertension Service.

Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman.

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