Do you know your blood pressure numbers? One in three adults in the UK have high blood pressure, most people don’t realise, but if you're over 40 you can get it checked for free at most pharmacies.

High blood pressure doesn’t have any obvious symptoms but it is a major cause of heart attack and stroke, and can also lead to a number of serious long-term health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

It's really important to get your blood pressure checked so you can catch high blood pressure early, then take simple steps to reduce it and lower the risk to your health.

If you are over 40, you can get your blood pressure checked for free at most pharmacies across Derby and Derbyshire.

Your pharmacist will refer you to a GP if your blood pressure is higher than normal and can offer advice on how to manage it.

We will also be holding free blood pressure check-ups on the following dates:

Know Your Numbers Week: 2 to 8 September 2024

  • Monday 2 September from 10am to midday at Buxton Library, Kents Bank Road, Buxton SK17 9HW     
  • Monday 2 September from 10am to midday at Sandiacre Library, Doncaster Avenue, Sandiacre NG10 5FJ
  • Monday 2 September from 10am to 3pm at The Quad, Dock Walk, Chesterfield S40 2GQ.
  • Monday 2 September from 2pm to 4pm at Etwall Library, Main St, Etwall, Derby DE65 6 
  • Tuesday 3 September from 10am to midday at Oscari Riddings, Colledge St, Riddings, Alfreton DE55 4EZ           
  • Tuesday 3 September from 9.30am to midday at Swadlincote Library, Civic Way, Swadlincote, DE11 0AD                       
  • Wednesday 4 September from 10am to 3pm County Hall, Matlock
  • Thursday 5 September from 2.45pm to 3pm at Derbyshire Recovery Peer Support, Coffee & Books, South Normanton, DE55 2AA          
  • Friday 6 September from 10am to 3pm at Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock
  • Saturday 7 September 10am to 3pm, Suicide Prevention Event, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, SK17 6JR   

The rest of September   

  • Monday 9 September from 9am to 1pm at Somercotes Parish Hall, Nottingham Road, Somercotes DE55 4LY           
  • Tuesday 10 September from 9.45am to 12.30pm at Bolsover Library, Church Street, Bolsover S44 6HB
  • Tuesday 10 September from 10am to 3pm Heanor Library, Ilkeston Road, Heanor DE75 7DX
  • Tuesday 10 September from 11am to 1pm at The Hub Low Pavement, Low Pavements, Chesterfield S40 1PB    
  • Wednesday 11 September from 10am to 11.30am at Pilsley Village Hall, Pear Tree Road, Lower Pilsley, Derbyshire S45 8HU
  • Thursday 12 September from 10am to 12.30pm at The Brook Community Centre, 18-26 Main Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG20 8DG
  • Thursday 12 September from 10am to 12.30pm at the snack and chat group, Geoffrey Allen Centre, Winster Mews, Gamesley, Glossop SK13
  • Thursday 12 September from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the knit and natter group, Geoffrey Allen Centre, Winster Mews, Gamesley, Glossop SK13 0LU
  • Friday 13  September from midday to 2pm at Christ Church Hall, 3 Casson Street, Ironville, Nottingham NG16 5NN    
  • Saturday 14  September from 9.30am to midday at Somercotes Parish Hall, Nottingham Road, Somercotes, Alfreton DE55 4LY
  • Monday 16  September from 10am to midday at Erewash Voluntary Action, Granville Avenue, The Granville Centre, Long Eaton, Ilkeston NG10 4HD                  
  • Tuesday 17 September from 1pm to 4pm at Holme Hall Edge Ministries, Wardgate Way, Chesterfield S40 4SL     
  • Wednesday 18 September from 2pm to 4pm at Clay Cross Social Centre, Market Street, Clay Cross S45 9JE           
  • Thursday 19 September from 2.45pm to 5pm Derbyshire Recovery Peer Support, 123 Market Place, South Normanton DE55 2AA           
  • Friday 20 September from 10am to 2pm, Derbyshire Recovery support service, The Post mill Centre, off Market St, South Normanton, Alfreton DE55 2EJ     
  • Monday 23 September from 10am to midday at Belper Library, Derwent Street, Belper DE56 1UQ
  • Monday 23 September from 10am to 12.30pm at Dronfield Library, Manor House, High Street, Dronfield, S18 1PY
  • Tuesday 24 September from 9.45am to 12.30pm at Bolsover Library, Church Street, Bolsover, S44 6HB
  • Tuesday 24 September from 10am to midday at Zink and High Peak Food Bank, Market Square car park, Clough Street, Buxton , SK17 6LJ
  • Thursday 26 September from 10am to 12.30pm at The Brook Community Centre, 18-26 Main Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG20 8DG       

Many pharmacies are open evenings or weekends, so why not pop in and ask about getting your blood pressure checked next time you pass?

If your local pharmacy doesn’t offer checks, they will give you information about a pharmacy that does. You can also measure your blood pressure at home using a monitor.

The only way to know if your blood pressure is healthy is to have a check, and to keep having them regularly.