‘I had no idea my blood pressure was high’ – the silent killer that often has no symptoms

As an active 49-year-old, business owner Chris Saynor, from Hertfordshire, never suspected he might have high blood pressure.

“A friend who I play squash with mentioned that Boots offered a Health MOT* for over-40s like me who live in England. So even though I felt I was in good health, I thought it was worth doing just to be sure,” Chris recalls.

He was impressed by how straightforward it was to get an appointment at his local Boots store. “It was easy to book online, and I was able to choose an appointment time that suited me.,” he says.

“Plus, it’s free, which was an added bonus.”

During his blood pressure reading, Chris was shocked to be told by the pharmacist that his blood pressure was high.

^{*Participating stores in England. Eligibility criteria apply. Subject to availability.}

“I wasn’t expecting my blood pressure to be high as I don’t believe we have a family history of that, and I live a very active and reasonably healthy lifestyle,” he says.

“I honestly had no idea that my blood pressure was high.”

If during a Health MOT your blood pressure reading is high, you will be offered an at-home, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, or a referral to your GP or other healthcare provider.

While factors such as obesity, smoking, high salt intake and genetics can all lead to high blood pressure, many people who feel fit and healthy have no idea that they could also be at risk.

While he felt healthy and was exercising at least four or five times a week, Chris realised that there were factors that could be increasing his risk, including everyday stress.

“I made a concerted effort to reduce my daily stress levels by removing myself from some situations and avoiding arguments,” he says. “I’m now mindful of my overall health – what I eat, how much I exercise, and managing my everyday stress levels effectively.”

A Boots Health MOT is available free of charge to anyone in England aged over 40 who doesn’t have a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure. As well as a blood pressure check, the service also includes an optional BMI and waist circumference measurement – these can help you assess your risk of developing certain conditions.

So, what does Chris take from his experience of a Health MOT at Boots?

“I guess the key thing is that no matter how ‘fit’ you are, it doesn’t mean you don’t have high blood pressure,” he says.

“I’m grateful that I found out that my blood pressure was raised, so that I could address it and help look after my health.”

^{*Ts&Cs: Free Health MOT available in participating stores, England only. Subject to availability. Includes NHS Blood Pressure Check Service. Eligibility criteria apply. Service is for adults aged 40 years and over who do not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension.}