Did you know that this week marks the start of Know Your Numbers Week.
It’s a week designed to help people across the UK get their blood pressure checked and understand their health. It’s a simple message with potentially life-saving results: know your numbers, protect your future.
If you’ve been thinking about getting yourself booked in for an NHS Health Check, consider this your sign to do it!
The 20-minute health check that could save your life
If you’re aged 40-74, you could be entitled to a free NHS Health Check. It only takes 20 minutes, but it could detect the early warning signs of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes.
What happens during an NHS Health Check? We’ve written an entire blog about this before! But here’s a quick recap for you. During your NHS Health Check, healthcare professionals will assess:
• Blood pressure – High blood pressure affects one in four adults * in the UK, but many don’t know they have it
• Cholesterol levels – Essential for understanding your risk of heart disease and stroke
• Blood sugar levels – To check for early signs of type 2 diabetes
• Body Mass Index (BMI) – A key indicator of overall health risk
• Family history and lifestyle factors – To build a complete picture of your health
Why your numbers matter more than you think
High blood pressure alone affects millions across the UK, and lots of people don’t know they have the condition. Left unmanaged, it significantly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious conditions. We know this can sound scary, and this isn’t mean to panic you!
Remember, once you know your numbers, you can take action. You can make a real difference to your long-term health by making small changes like improving your diet, exercising more often, managing your stress levels or taking prescribed medication. And if you’d like some support making those changes, our free healthy lifestyle programme is available both online and in person.
Ready to book an NHS Health Check and Know Your Numbers? Book yours today.
*Statistic taken from Public Health England – Health matters: combating high blood pressure – GOV.UK
