Charity urges people in Cornwall to check their blood pressure on the weekly shop
The 10-minute test is available at supermarket pharmacies
People across Cornwall are being urged to get a 10-minute blood pressure check at their local supermarket.
The free test is being offered in-store at Tesco Pharmacies in Truro, Helston, Launceston and Redruth.
A recent survey found many Brits put off the potentially life-saving check, with over a third of adults saying that they don’t get their blood pressure tested regularly.
British Heart Foundation estimates that up to five million people could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK, and the NHS estimates that over a five-year period, blood pressure checks at local pharmacies could prevent over 5,000 heart attacks, and save over 4,000 lives in England alone.
"Around 11 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with high blood pressure," said cardiac nurse Ruth Goss, "but 15% of respondents thought you don't need to get checked until your older - don't wait!"
"If you now what your number is now then you can check it a few years down the line.
"If you identify any problems you can act on that really quickly, whether that's making any lifestyle changes or speaking to your GP about starting medication.
"Knowing your numbers is the key to getting your blood pressure under control."
To help people access blood pressure checks across the UK, British Heart Foundation are joining forces with Tesco to encourage customers and colleagues to think about heart health and get a free blood pressure check at their local supermarket pharmacy.
"So if you are going to do your weekly shop, or if you're going down the high street and see a pharmacy - just pop in and ask to have your blood pressure checked," Ruth added.
"Once you've done that you've taken the first and really important step of managing your blood pressure and heart health."