A groundbreaking NHS initiative is offering local residents the chance to check both their smile and heart health during a single visit. Starting now, 12 dental practices across Basildon, Brentwood, and mid Essex are providing free blood pressure checks for patients over the age of 40 who haven’t had one in the past year.
With around 88,000 people in the region living with undiagnosed high blood pressure (hypertension), this new initiative by NHS Mid and South Essex aims to detect hidden cases of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health conditions, before they lead to life-threatening consequences.
Patients attending a dental appointment at participating practices will be offered a free blood pressure check if they are over 40 and haven’t had one within the last year. The practices are strategically located in areas of mid Essex where data shows the highest rates of undiagnosed hypertension.
The process is quick and simple. Dental staff will take two readings using blood pressure monitors provided through the pilot program. Anyone with high readings will receive information and guidance on further testing.
Dr. Sophia Morris, oral health expert and clinical lead for Health Inequalities at NHS Mid and South Essex, said, “Offering blood pressure checks as part of routine dental appointments could help save lives and prevent future heart attacks or strokes. It’s a small action that could make a positive difference.”
Kayleigh Gleed, Practice Manager and Dental Nurse at the Essex Dental Clinic in Earls Colne, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting, “We know that people have busy lives. It might not feel like an urgent priority to get a blood pressure check, as patients may think they are completely healthy. However, high blood pressure is an ‘invisible danger’ that has no symptoms. Being able to offer a blood pressure check alongside a dental check-up is a simple way for patients to ‘take a sec to check’ and gain vital information about their heart health.”
Undiagnosed high blood pressure can lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and vascular dementia. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, regular checks are an easy and effective way to reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of high blood pressure, including being overweight, consuming too much salt, a lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet, inadequate physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high stress levels. People of Black or South Asian descent are also more likely to be at risk.
For those over 40 who haven’t had a blood pressure check in the past five years, or have a family history of high blood pressure, free NHS blood pressure checks are also available at local pharmacies across mid and south Essex.
Related topics