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Men can now have their blood pressure checked while visiting a barbershop. The NHS is extending its blood pressure screening services to different local venues, including barbershops, mosques, and pharmacies. This initiative aims to address the increasing risk of strokes and heart attacks among men. NHS staff's life-saving actions coincide with recent data indicating that high street pharmacies administered 149,865 blood pressure checks to individuals over 40 in May 2023. This marked a notable increase from the previous year's count of 58,345 in May 2022, the NHS said. "More than 1,300 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented this year thanks to the high street checks." "The total number of blood pressure checks delivered by pharmacy teams in the year to March was more than 1 million (1,053,278)," the NHS added. Furthermore, the government has committed £645 million for a range of added pharmaceutical services. This includes a target of conducting 2.5 million extra blood pressure checks annually at community pharmacies. This effort is estimated to avert over 1,350 cardiovascular events per year - equivalent to averting 113 heart attacks and strokes each month.

As Know Your Numbers! Week (2-8 September) kicks off, the NHS England is encouraging people in the East Midlands to get their blood pressure checked to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The residents can get their blood pressure checked at several places, including their local pharmacies. The initiative, part of a global campaign, highlights the crucial role of monitoring blood pressure, especially for those aged 40 and over. It is recommended that all adults aged 40 or over have their blood pressure tested at least every five years. High blood pressure or hypertension affects about a third of adults in the UK and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is one of the leading causes of death in England. This condition often has no noticeable symptoms, but if untreated, it can result in serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Local pharmacies play a crucial role in this health campaign, enabling individuals to monitor their risk of cardiovascular disease without needing an appointment. The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service has delivered more than a million checks nationally in the past year.