Blood pressure 'silent killer' warning

Seinor pharmacist Jaya Authunuri says not enough people are having their blood pressure tested

A senior specialist pharmacist said people who are not getting their blood pressure checked could be putting their lives at risk.

It comes after the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said there were over 25,000 people living with undiagnosed hypertension, or high blood pressure, across Hull and East Yorkshire.

Jaya Authunuri, superintendent pharmacist at Westhill Pharmacy in Bridlington, said high blood pressure was a "silent killer" and there needed to be more education around the importance of checks.

"When there is a service available, why aren't the patients utilising it?" he questioned.

At his pharmacy, Mr Authunuri carries out NHS blood pressure checks which take about five to 10 minutes.

They are available for anyone over 40 who has not been diagnosed with hypertension or is taking blood pressure medications.

He also runs community blood pressure checks in a room at Morrisons in Bridlington, after he previously funded a self-check health kiosk in the supermarket.

Mr Authunuri said the uptake was not "reaching the maximum capacity" despite "a great deal of publicity".

If untreated, high blood pressure can lead to health problems including stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

"I think the key barrier is lack of consistent communication and education to patients around the importance of blood pressure.

"We as healthcare professionals are so busy trying to dispense medication that we don't have enough time and funding to get this message to the patients," Mr Authunuri said.

Jaya Authunuri says there is a "lack of consistent communication" about blood pressure checks

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB advised people to go to their local pharmacy to ask for a free blood pressure check.

Members of East Riding libraries can also borrow blood pressure monitors for free for up to two weeks or book an appointment.

These are bookable through Beverley, Bridlington Central, North Bridlington, Goole and Withernsea libraries.

Mr Authunuri said: "It's empowerment we need to bring to patients to proactively go out and look after our health rather than thinking you need to make changes later on.

"Blood pressure and cholesterol are silent killers until they're really, really high."

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