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Are you eligible for a free blood pressure and cholesterol check?

You don't have to go to the GP - anyone over 40 can get a free NHS check at participating pharmacies
Ayesha MuttucumaruSenior health writer

With over 13 years’ experience writing trusted health and beauty content for top titles, Ayesha separates fad from fact to help you feel empowered in your everyday choices.

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According to estimates from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), up to five million adults in the UK could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure (hypertension). 

It often has no symptoms, but can quietly raise the risk of other serious health issues including stroke and heart disease.

The good news is that it’s quick, simple and free for eligible adults in England to get a blood pressure check, and you don’t even need a GP appointment.

Many pharmacies - including some inside major supermarkets - offer walk-in or bookable free blood pressure checks for eligible people over 40. Some retailers even run small reward schemes to encourage people to get tested. 

NHS England also recently announced that you'll be able to get your cholesterol checked at around 100 pharmacies in England from autumn 2026 until spring 2027 as part of a new pilot scheme. Those aged over 40 who aren't pregnant and haven't had a blood test in the past year will be eligible to walk into participating pharmacies for a quick pin-prick test.

Why blood pressure and cholesterol checks matter and who should get them

Blood pressure check

High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called a 'silent killer' because most people don’t know they have it. Left untreated, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or vascular dementia.

According to the NHS, it's especially important to get your blood pressure checked if you are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Factors that can increase your risk include, being aged 40 or over, obese, having a family history of high blood pressure, if you're of Black or South Asian background, and if you're a smoker or have a diet high in salt, alcohol or caffeine.

High cholesterol levels can also increase your chances of experiencing heart problems or a stroke. This is because too much of certain types of cholesterol can narrow and block blood vessels and cause a build-up of fatty material called plaques. If you have the risk factors for high blood pressure, or a family history of high cholesterol, it's worth getting checked.

For those aged 40 to 74 who do not have any pre-existing health conditions, you should be invited to an NHS Health Check every five years, which includes a blood pressure check and a cholesterol test. 

However, you can make an appointment at any time if you have concerns, either via your NHS GP or a participating pharmacy.

A typical healthy blood pressure level is considered to be between 90/60mmHg - 130/85mmHg, according to the British Heart Foundation. If you're over 80, your blood pressure should usually be below 150/90mmHg. 

Readings consistently at or above 140/90mmHg may indicate high blood pressure, according to the NHS. 

A cholesterol test measures your total cholesterol (the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood), 'good' HDL cholesterol (the type that reduces your risk of heart problems or a stroke) and non-HDL cholesterol (the 'bad' type that can build up in your arteries).

The typical healthy levels for these different types of cholesterol according to the NHS are: 

  • Total cholesterol: below 5mmol/L
  • HDL cholesterol: above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women
  • Non-HDL cholesterol: below 4mmol/L

However, your recommended healthy levels may be lower if you've already had a heart attack or stroke. 

Need to monitor more regularly at home? Check our independent blood pressure monitor reviews for the most reliable models

Who offers free blood pressure and cholesterol checks?

As part of the NHS community pharmacy hypertension case-finding advanced service, you can get a free blood pressure check if you are:

  • Aged 40 or over
  • Live in England
  • Haven't had your blood pressure checked in the past five years
  • Don't already have a diagnosis of high blood pressure

You can get a blood pressure check at your GP surgery, participating community pharmacies such as Lloyds Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy, and at pharmacy counters inside some major supermarkets such as Asda Pharmacy and Tesco Pharmacy.

If you're under 40 but have a family history of high blood pressure, or your GP has referred you, you may still qualify. Check with the pharmacy or your GP if you're unsure.

Some supermarket pharmacies have previously offered small incentives - such as Asda offering to add £2 to your Cashpot - during health promotion campaigns to encourage participation, so keep an eye out for these.

From this autumn until spring 2027, you'll also be able to get your cholesterol levels checked via a quick pin-prick test at around 100 NHS pharmacies in England provided that:

  • You're aged 40 to 84
  • Aren't pregnant
  • Haven't had a blood test in the past year

You can find a pharmacy that offers the service using the NHS pharmacy locator.

Eligible people will also be offered a blood pressure check as part of a clinical consultation with a pharmacist prescriber. 

Free blood pressure and cholesterol checks are also available through the NHS Health Check programme for those aged 40 to 74 who do not have any pre-existing health conditions.

Can you rely on at-home kits? Find out which were the best cholesterol monitors from our tests and how they compare

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What happens if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol?

Man consulting with a GP

A pharmacy blood pressure check is straightforward: 

  1. A trained staff member measures your blood pressure using an arm cuff.
  2. You’ll usually receive your result immediately, along with an explanation of what it means.
  3. Depending on your result, you may given lifestyle advice, given an at-home blood pressure monitor (to return later) or advised to visit your GP for follow-up checks.

If high blood pressure is confirmed, treatment might include lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight management and physical activity. Some people may also be prescribed medication to help control their blood pressure.

Pharmacies offering NHS checks can guide you through the next steps and, where appropriate, help arrange further care.

A finger-prick test for cholesterol levels is equally as simple. 

  1. Your finger is pricked and a drop of blood if put on a strip of paper. 
  2. This is then put into a machine that checks your cholesterol in just seven minutes.

Depending on your results, your pharmacist prescriber can provide advice for lowering it such as lifestyle changes or dietary modifications, and determine if any further care or treatment is needed. You'll also receive a copy of your results by email. 

Can we get healthier as we age? Find out what actually helps us stay fit and healthy as we grow older in our podcast episode

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