Wellbeing buy of the week: FREE health check

What is it?

This week's 'best buy' is a free health check: having your blood pressure taken. As part of Know your Numbers Week, September 13 to 19, numerous locations nationwide are equipped to take your blood pressure.

What will it do for me?

Knowing your blood pressure reading is a useful indicator of your health. The normal range is 90/60 to 140/90. High blood pressure is suffered by one in three UK adults, and simply means the heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood around the body. Left untreated, it can significantly increase the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke or heart attack, as well as kidney failure and impaired eyesight. Contributory factors include age, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity.

Low blood pressure can be a sign that your heart is particularly healthy. If you're getting symptoms such as lightheadedness (especially when you stand up quickly), dizziness, blurred vision, fainting or poor concentration, see your GP. There are a few medical causes of low blood pressure, such as underactive thyroid, a hormone condition called Addison's disease, diabetes and low blood sugar. All these can be checked out with blood tests. Many tablets can also cause low blood pressure, so tell your GP about any you're taking.

So if you don't 'know your numbers', click on the link below and get yours checked. The rest of the year, ask your GP for a test.

How much and where from?

Absolutely free of charge. To find your nearest blood-pressure checking centre, visit the Blood Pressure Association's website and type in your postcode.

Anything else? 

If you've never had your blood pressure checked, it involves having a cuff placed around your arm, which is inflated with a pump to a level of slightly uncomfortable tightness. Air is released from the cuff and readings obtained on the sphygmomanometer (blood pressure reading device). You're told your reading as, for example, '120 over 80' - the middle of the desirable range - and given any advice you may need as a result.

By Adrienne Wyper