Tesco and British Heart Foundation Launch Nationwide Push to Tackle Hidden High Blood Pressure

No obvious signs: Tesco and British Heart Foundation Launch Nationwide Push to Tackle Hidden High Blood Pressure

• Tesco and the British Heart Foundation are urging people to prioritise their health with a free blood pressure check at Tesco Pharmacy.

  
  

• Walk-in and prebooked blood pressure checks available at over 350 Tesco Pharmacy locations across the UK.

  
  

• February marks the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Month, raising awareness of the risks of high blood pressure and the importance of early detection.

Tesco and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) are encouraging people across the UK to take a moment for their wellbeing this Heart Month by visiting a Tesco Pharmacy for a quick and friendly blood pressure check.

High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, yet the BHF estimates that up to 5 million adults in the UK may be living with the condition undiagnosed.

Because high blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms, the only way to know is to get tested. When identified early, high blood pressure can be effectively managed, helping to protect long-term health.

Tesco want looking after your health to feel as simple as going into Tesco to do a shop. Tesco pharmacy teams are there to offer a quick, friendly blood pressure check - no fuss, no appointment needed.

“A few minutes in store can help to give peace of mind or get you support early if it’s needed. - Tom Lye, Category Director for Health & Wellness at Tesco

Tesco Pharmacy teams offer the free walk-in and prebooked 10-minute blood pressure check, carried out in private consultation rooms. Colleagues will explain the results clearly and, if a raised reading is detected, guide customers towards the appropriate next steps or support. All Tesco pharmacists and pharmacy staff undergo specialist “Let’s Talk” training to help them speak to the public with sensitivity about heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

The latest campaign, which has launched during February’s Heart Month, builds on the partnership between Tesco and the British Heart Foundation, encouraging the public to fit a blood pressure check into their everyday routine.

As well as the free in store checks, Tesco Magazine and the Tesco Real Food website are featuring heart healthy recipes including dishes with low salt and low saturated fat to help customers cook confidently at home.

The wider Tesco Health Charity Partnership with the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK was launched in 2018 and is built on the simple belief that Every Little Help can make a big difference. Between Monday 16 February and Sunday 1 March, customers can also choose to round up their shop to the nearest £1 at self-service tills, to raise money for the Health Charity Partnership.

High blood pressure affects roughly one in three adults in the UK, yet many people remain unaware they have it because it usually presents no obvious signs. When it goes undetected, it can significantly raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, which is why it’s so important for as many people as possible to get their blood pressure checked.

“Although high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems if ignored, the positive news is that it can be managed. Small lifestyle changes like being more active and reducing foods high in fat, salt and sugar can have a real impact - medication is also available when needed. Getting your blood pressure checked at a community location like your local Tesco is quick, straightforward and could be one of the most vital steps you take to protect your heart and overall health. Know your numbers this Heart Month. - Professor Bryan Williams OBE, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation

Pop into your local Tesco Pharmacy and ask for a free blood pressure check if you’re eligible. It takes around 10 minutes, and Tesco colleagues will guide you through what the numbers mean.

Notes

NHS Blood Pressure Check Service at Tesco Pharmacy - how it works & eligibility: tesco.com/groceries/zone/blood pressure

* OHID (2024) Estimated prevalence of undiagnosed adult hypertension, 2021 estimates

A Q&A article in the magazine features Ruth Goss, Senior Cardiac Nurse at British Heart Foundation, and the spotlighted recipe is for Basa with brown rice and green beans, and it can also be found here: https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/basa-with-brown-rice-and-green-beans.html

Heart healthy recipes with the British Heart Foundation: realfood.tesco.com/heart-healthy-recipes

Minimum age for a free NHS blood pressure check is 40 years, unless there is a recognised family history of high blood pressure. If customers have a concern about their blood pressure they can speak to one of our pharmacists.

Last year, over a third of adults surveyed (34%) were not confident in knowing the range of a normal blood pressure, and a further 16% had no understanding of the numbers on blood pressure readings at all. Survey was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Tesco surveying 2000 UK adults between 22nd and 24th January 2025.

February is British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Heart Month. This year’s focus is to ‘Walk for Hearts’, where people can challenge themselves to walk 28, 50, or 100 miles in February, wherever suits them to help save lives. The challenge is free to take part in and can be done at your own pace to raise funds for the BHF. To find out more visit bhf.org.uk/heartmonth