MEN in the UK will now have the opportunity to receive free blood pressure checks at barbershops, thanks to a new initiative by the National Health Service (NHS). This move is aimed at preventing heart attacks by identifying signs of hypertension early on. Recent research has shown that men face double the risk of heart attacks compared to women, making it crucial for them to be proactive in assessing risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
The early symptoms of a heart attack don’t always feel severe.
A squeezing across the chest. A feeling of unease. It’s never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms. pic.twitter.com/FjoQ9EdoC3
— NHS (@NHSuk) August 28, 2023
Heart attacks are a significant health concern in the UK, with approximately 100,000 hospital admissions attributed to them each year – that’s one every five minutes. Roughly a quarter of the British population suffers from high blood pressure, which substantially increases the risk of heart attacks.
Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but many don’t know it. It can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Find out how to get checked, understand what your numbers mean and how to manage your risk. https://t.co/IIFSXhc0qZ pic.twitter.com/gVyZY0fVL6
— NHS England (@NHSEngland) August 26, 2023
To address this issue, the NHS has doubled the number of blood pressure checks provided to individuals over the age of 40 in the past year. Now, the scheme is set to expand even further, reaching a wider range of locations within local communities. In addition to barbershops, blood pressure checks will be offered at supermarkets, mosques, and dominoes clubs. Community pharmacies will also provide an additional 2.5 million blood pressure checks.
The expansion of the program comes in light of new research presented at the European Society of Cardiology, which revealed that men are significantly more susceptible to heart attacks than women. The study followed over 20,000 men and women aged over 40 between 1993 and 2018, and after adjusting for various factors, researchers found that men had twice the relative risk of experiencing heart attacks and peripheral artery disease. They also had a 50% higher risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation, along with a 42% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan of the British Heart Foundation emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating, Coronary heart disease is the most common killer of men. There’s never been a better time to get physically active and replace that pub session with an extra session in the gym.
By making blood pressure checks more accessible and raising awareness of cardiovascular risks, the NHS aims to tackle the high incidence of heart attacks in the UK. This initiative will enable individuals, particularly men, to take proactive steps to monitor their health and minimize their risk of developing heart-related conditions.
