Being stuck in an endless phone queue, achingly slow wi-fi, sitting in traffic and spam calls have been revealed as the main culprits making the nation feel like its blood pressure is raised. Cancelled trains, drivers failing to indicate and people playing loud music on their phones also get a mention on the list of what really gets the UK’s goat.
With more than three in 10 adults (31%) saying they encounter situations that make them feel like their blood pressure is raised at least several times a week, the research by Tesco aims to get the nation talking about blood pressure as part of the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Heart Month campaign. The supermarket is calling on shoppers to get a potentially life-saving blood pressure check at one of its in-store pharmacies as they do their weekly shop. More than half a million appointments are available throughout the year.
Based on NHS analysis, the quick and easy five-minute check could help detect cases of undiagnosed high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes (around 50% of them are associated with high blood pressure).
The top 10 things that make us feel like our blood pressure is raised are:
- Being on hold in a phone queue 28%
- Sitting in traffic 23%
- Spam calls 22%
- Slow wi-fi connection 21%
- Partner not clearing up after themselves 19%
- People who don’t indicate 19%
- Lost keys 17%
- Train cancelled without an explanation 17%
- People playing music on phones without headphones 15%
- Having to ask the kids to do something multiple times 14%
The research also found that one of the main reasons for not getting a blood pressure check, particularly for those between 25 and 44, is lack of time, so Tesco is offering checks without an appointment so customers can pop to the in-store pharmacist as they do their shop.
Dr Zoe Williams, who is supporting the campaign, said: “Talking about the small, everyday things that make us feel our blood pressure is raised is a useful reminder that we should all be getting our blood pressure checked regularly. The simple check can reveal undiagnosed high blood pressure and treating this could prevent a heart attack or stroke.”
Tesco pharmacist, Jonathan Bridgett, said: “Reducing high blood pressure is one of the biggest changes people can make to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes, but most people don’t realise that they can get their blood pressure checked for free, without an appointment, at an in-store Tesco pharmacy.”
Professor Bryan Williams OBE, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Around 30 per cent of adults in the UK have high blood pressure – that’s 16 million people. But at least half of them aren’t receiving effective treatment. Sometimes called the silent killer, high blood pressure doesn’t often present with symptoms but can lead to heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage, so it’s important you get your blood pressure checked regularly.
Our hearts are precious and this Heart Month we’re proud to be working with Tesco to make blood pressure checks and health information readily available to help millions of people improve their health and prevent countless heart attacks and strokes.”
The British Heart Foundation estimates that up to five million could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK and the NHS estimates that over the next five years, blood pressure checks at local pharmacies could prevent over 5,000 heart attacks, over 8,000 strokes and save over 4,000 lives in England alone (1).
To find your nearest Tesco Pharmacy and book a free blood pressure check visit: www.tesco.com/pharmacy.
Tesco has also created a series of recipes, in association with the British Heart Foundation, that help people make positive changes to support heart health. Customers can visit the Tesco Real Food Hub (realfood.tesco.com/heart-healthy-recipes) for inspiration.
