Boots is now offering free 15-minute “health checks” to over-40s to ease pressure on the NHS

Over 40s in England can now book a free “Health APK” with Boots.

Blood pressure will be taken during the 15-minute check, which will be available in 1,000 stores across England from today.

Anyone with a high score – meaning they are at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke – is referred to their GP.

BMI and waist circumference measurements can also be taken if clients prefer.

They then receive individual advice and recommendations on how to lead a healthier lifestyle through exercise and nutrition.

The MOT includes a blood pressure test and some optional tests to check if a person is overweight

Boots said the scheme could help ease pressure on the NHS, which is struggling with record backlogs and unprecedented demand.

Claire Nevinson, Chief Pharmacist at Boots, said: “The Boots free health app is designed to help people better understand their health and take the steps needed to improve it.

“As we age, we become more vulnerable to conditions such as high blood pressure, so it is important that we take steps to stay healthy.

“The checks during MOT and the advice provided not only help individual patients lead healthier lives, but also reduce pressure on the NHS by providing accessible care in pharmacies that are at the heart of society.”

It is hoped the campaign, which runs until June, will help people with high blood pressure get treatment sooner.

The symptoms of the disease are difficult to recognize in everyday life, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer”.

It is estimated that just over 200 Britons die from high blood pressure every day, with the daily number rising to almost 1,370 in the US.

However, it is believed that between six and eight million Britons are living with undiagnosed and therefore uncontrolled high blood pressure.

After diagnosis, people may be encouraged to make lifestyle changes, such as B. Eat less salt and exercise more to control their high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

GPs can also prescribe people medication to control their blood pressure.

The Boots APK that will be with a Pharmacist includes:

• The NHS blood pressure monitoring service, with a GP referral if needed
• Optional measurement of BMI and waist circumference
• Lifestyle advice on exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental well-being and smoking cessation

At the end of their appointment, patients receive a booklet with information on healthy lifestyles and a section with the results of their MOT.

The idea behind the free APK was born from a study commissioned by Boots, which showed that 68 percent of people want to feel healthier, rising to 73 percent for those over 40.

Such APKs are not a new concept, and NHS England introduced their own version in 2009.

However, such campaigns were not without criticism.

A 2015 report by the London School of Economics and the University of Liverpool accused the checks of being “inefficient” and wasting £450 million ($547 million) a year.

This NHS check was also offered to the over 40s, but unlike the Boots version they stopped at the age of 74.

Patients registered with a GP are invited for a 30-minute appointment every five years to monitor their risk for conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The NHS Health MOT program offers:

• A conversation about your lifestyle and family history
• Measure your height and weight
• blood pressure control
• blood tests
• Personal lifestyle advice

Although a survey of more than 450,000 people found that those who underwent MOT were slimmer, smoked less and had lower blood pressure years later, a 2014 review found that diseases found during the exam “ just as well” could be recognized. standard care.

In England, people over 75 receive a special regular routine check-up from their GP.

It covers a variety of health topics, from controlling blood pressure to early signs of dementia, although many older people also use the appointment as an opportunity to ask a doctor about their health concerns.