This Know Your Numbers Week (8th-14th September 2025) the NHS in London urges Londoners to get their blood pressure checked, a critical step in preventing life-threatening complications.
High blood pressure is the most preventable cause of death in the country, yet over a third of London adults do not know their blood pressure reading. Thanks to the NHS shift from hospital to community care, getting checked is now more convenient than ever.
With checks available via GPs, pharmacies, Community Diagnostic Centres and neighbourhood health services across the capital, getting a blood pressure reading can now fit easily into Londoners’ everyday lives.
In May 2025 alone, over 53,000 blood pressure checks were provided in London pharmacies (53,292).
Dr. Chris Streather, Chief Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “Getting your blood pressure checked is vital. Blood pressure issues can often be symptomless, but can cause significant long-term health risks, like heart attacks, strokes and sadly sometimes early death.
“Whether at home or at your local pharmacy or GP, I encourage all Londoners to take a quick and easy blood pressure check. It could help to improve your health for years to come.”
Alarming new research from Blood Pressure UK reveals that over a third of adults (37%) living in Greater London do not know their current blood pressure reading, and over a quarter (27%) do not check it regularly.
Getting checked is quick and can either provide peace of mind, or the chance to make lifestyle changes before more serious health concerns develop, like strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease and dementia.
Barts Health is helping local people to catch hidden heart risks early by offering free cholesterol tests across East London pharmacies. Every month, around 220 people in east London die from heart and circulatory conditions, and getting tested can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Jagjot Kaur Chahal, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Lead Pharmacist at Barts Health, said: “This quick test helps people find out if they’re at risk before something serious happens. Pharmacies are a convenient, trusted place to get checked and take control of your heart health.”
Over six in 10 London adults (64%) say they would check their blood pressure more regularly if they were aware of the risks.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for London in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), said: “High blood pressure makes heart attacks and strokes much more likely and usually has no symptoms.
“People of Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian heritage are typically at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, so early detection through regular blood pressure checks is particularly important.
“High blood pressure can often by lowered by lifestyle factors such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, eating healthily and taking regular exercise.”
In the 10 Year Health Plan, the NHS commits to shift their focus from sickness to prevention, to reduce the burden of disease on services, and improve health and life expectancy.
It is possible to improve blood pressure through lifestyle changes, such as:
Cutting down on salt
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables
Exercising regularly
Drinking alcohol in moderation.
