Know Your Numbers Week: 8 -14 September 2025

Know Your Numbers Week is a public health campaign focused on raising awareness about the importance of monitoring your blood pressure. Organised by Blood Pressure UK, this annual event encourages people to get their blood pressure checked and understand what the numbers mean. High blood pressure, often referred to as the "silent killer," can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease if left untreated. Know Your Numbers Week aims to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to take control of their health by keeping track of their blood pressure.

High blood pressure is very common, especially in older adults. There are usually no symptoms, so you may not realise you have it.

Things that increase your chances of having high blood pressure include:

  • Your age – you’re more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older
  • Having close relatives with high blood pressure
  • Your ethnicity – you’re at higher risk if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background
  • Having an unhealthy diet – especially a diet that’s high in salt
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Feeling stressed over a long period

Get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy or GP surgery if:

  • You think you might have high blood pressure or might be at risk of having high blood pressure
  • You’re aged 40 or over and have not had your blood pressure checked for more than 5 years

Find your nearest pharmacy here: Find a pharmacy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Find out more at the link: Blood Pressure UK

As part of ‘Know Your Numbers Week,’ free blood pressure checks will be available to those over the age of 40 across South Yorkshire.  Please click the following link to access times and venues.

Across South Yorkshire there will be a number of sessions available offering FREE blood pressure checks.  Please see the following details.

Doncaster 

Doncaster Primary Care van will be go around the city following dates :

  • Lakeside: 9 September 2025, 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Corner in the City Centre: 10 September 2025, 9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Denaby Asda: 11 September 2025, 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • Woodlands Library: 11 September 2025, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Sheffield 

The Primary Care Development Nurse Team will be attending following venues :

    
  • Tesco, 1 Saville Street, S4 7UD: 8 September 2025, 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Hillsborough Exchange S6 4HL, 9 September 2025, 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Sheffield Train Station: 10 September 2025,10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Asda, Chaucer Road, S5 8NH: 11 September 2025, 10:30am - 1:00pm
  • IKEA, Sheffield Road, S9 2YL: 11 September 2025, 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Orchard Square, Sheffield City Centre, S1 2FB: 12 September 2025, 11:00am - 2:00pm
    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Check what your blood pressure reading means and get information about what to do next

Who can use this tool

You can use this tool if you or the person you're using it for:

  • are aged 18 or over
  • have a recent blood pressure reading, either taken by a healthcare professional or with a home blood pressure monitor

You should not use this tool if you or the person you're using it for:

  • are aged 17 or under
  • are pregnant
  • have a medical condition that can affect your blood pressure
  • are taking medicines that can affect your blood pressure
  • have recently had surgery or experienced an injury
  • are feeling unwell with new symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or headache
  • have recently seen a healthcare professional about your blood pressure and received medical advice

You should not use this tool to diagnose any symptoms. If you're worried about your blood pressure, book an appointment at a GP surgery.

I do not have a recent reading

You should have a blood pressure test if you're worried about your blood pressure at any time.

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

  • your local GP surgery
  • some pharmacies
  • some workplaces

You can also check your blood pressure with a monitor at home.

I need help measuring my blood pressure at home

When you're taking your blood pressure at home there are things you can do to help get an accurate reading.

Try to:

  • sit on an upright chair with a back
  • place your feet flat on the floor
  • rest your arm on a table and relax your hand and arm
  • wear something with short sleeves so the cuff does not go over clothes
  • relax, breathe normally and do not talk during the test
  • take another reading a few minutes after your first reading to check it's accurate

If you've been asked by a healthcare professional to measure your blood pressure, do this as often as they advised, usually morning and evening.

If you regularly use a home blood pressure monitor you should tell your GP practice.

Watch how to measure your blood pressure at home (The British Heart Foundation on YouTube)

 

 

 

Useful Information

For more information about Know Your Numbers! Week please visit the Blood Pressure UK website: Blood Pressure UK

For more information on how to manage your blood pressure please visit the British Heart Foundation website: High blood pressure (Hypertension) - BHF

Blood pressure checks are available throughout the year at GP practices, in community pharmacies and in some places via Health Checks services.

To find out if you are eligible for a free community pharmacy blood pressure check, you can drop into your nearest pharmacy or give the branch a call to talk to a pharmacist at any time throughout the year.