The NHS has sent more than 65,000 home blood pressure monitors to patients in the UK.
The devices are being made available to 220,000 people who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
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 NHS said this may prevent 2,200 heart attacks and 3,300 strokes over five years by catching the killer conditions earlier.
Roger, 75, a patient from Oxford, said he was grateful to receive a free blood pressure monitor from his GP surgery and that it was simple and easy to use.
“I’d visited my doctor for a regular check-up and was diagnosed with high blood pressure.
“After discussion with the GP, I feel I understand my blood pressure better and feel happy I can monitor it at home and send it to the GP without going across town.
“I think it’s a great idea and a handy way of keeping an eye on my health”.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and consultant cardiologist, said all adults over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
“People diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
“It is vital that their blood pressure measurements are tracked regularly to ensure their blood pressure is well treated.
“This important initiative, supported by the BHF, means people with heart conditions can monitor their blood pressure themselves at home which reduces the need to travel for consultations.”
From October 2021, every NHS pharmacy in England is now able to provide the lifesaving checks to people aged 40 or over.
People can also get it checked at an NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74, at home or at their local GP surgery.
More information about the blood pressure test and home blood pressure monitoring can be found on the NHS website.
