Hundreds of thousands of people will be able to test their blood pressure at home, thanks to lifesaving monitors on the NHS.
The devices, similar to those used in GP practices, are being made available to 220,000 people who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure and who could benefit from regular checks.
The action to catch more killer conditions earlier and save lives as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, is estimated to prevent 2,200 heart attacks and almost 3,300 strokes over five years.
Patients wrap the small machine around their upper arm to measure their blood pressure reading and send the reading to their GP to review by telephone, email or through a digital remote monitoring platform.
The rollout supports the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions to prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases over the next 10 years.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and national medical director of primary care for the NHS said: “It’s vital that people with high blood pressure keep track of their levels, so they can report any significant changes that could indicate a potentially deadly stroke or heart attack, and this simple but lifesaving innovation offers people efficient and convenient care.
“By using these monitors, and reporting the readings to local teams, patients are able to quickly and easily update GP teams with a regular snapshot of their blood pressure health. These simple checks will help us to save lives.”
It is advised that all adults over 40 have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
If you do not have your own home monitor, you can get your blood pressure checked at your local NHS pharmacy who are now offering to provide checks to people aged 40 or over.
