Blood pressure is the force that your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure can weaken your heart and damage the walls of your arteries, increasing the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
During an NHS Health Check, your blood pressure will be tested. Your GP, practice nurse or other health professional will use a cuff that fits around your upper arm and is inflated so that it becomes tight.
The test is quick and painless, and most people will have experienced it before.
Why blood pressure matters
High blood pressure is common: according the NICE, around 40% of adults in England have it. It often presents no symptoms, but it's important because it raises the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
When your blood pressure is too high, your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Over time, this can weaken your heart. High blood pressure also places a strain on the walls of your arteries, making a blockage or break more likely.
Your blood pressure
At an NHS Health Check, you may have a discussion about your blood pressure if your GP or other health professional feels that this is appropriate: for example, if your blood pressure test reveals a raised blood pressure.
If you've already had your blood pressure test, learn more in Your blood pressure result.
