Why do I need a blood pressure check?
A blood pressure test checks if your blood pressure is healthy, or if it's high or low.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your risk of developing serious problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, if it's not treated.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is not usually a problem, although it can cause dizziness and fainting in some people
You may have received an SMS text or email from your GP practice inviting you to submit your blood pressure reading via a link. Please scroll down for free blood check locations in your community. If you haven’t received a text, you can still obtain a free blood pressure check.
If you’re GP practice have asked you to submit a reading and you have a home blood pressure monitor, please use this to obtain your blood pressure reading and submit your readings using the link included in your SMS text or email from your GP practice.
If you need help completing and submitting the reading, please ask a member of the team at any of our community locations. If you are unable to access the link, please contact your GP practice to report your readings.
If you don't have a home blood pressure monitor, these community locations are offering free blood pressure checks.
Community pharmacy
Some pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks, check your nearest participating pharmacy by selecting your area on our interactive map. We advise checking the opening times before visiting. You should not need an appointment.
Hypertension Heroes
Hypertension Heroes is a community initiative to help you get your blood pressure checked. Volunteers are working across Kent and Medway to offer free blood pressure checks in places that are familiar to you.
No appointment is needed, just walk-in.
You can find Hypertension Heroes at the following locations.
Open Door Project, 101 High Street, Hythe, CT21 5JH, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 4pm.
Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre (behind Cheriton Library), Baker Rd, Folkestone, CT19 4NN, every Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Royal British Legion, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 2 Lower Blackhouse Hill, Hythe, CT21 5LS, every Tuesday 9.30am to 12noon.
Age UK, Sanford House, Stade Street, Hythe, CT21 6BD, Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12noon.
Windmill House, First Floor, 129/130 Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BL, every Monday and Friday from 11am to 2pm.
City Praise Church, Lower Higham Road, Gravesend, DA12 2LY, on Tuesdays from 10am to 12noon.
Old Gravesendians Rugby Club, 8 Bronte View, Gravesend, DA12 1PX, on Wednesday afternoons from 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Rethink Mental Illness, 4-5 High Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BQ every Friday from 10am to 12noon.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB, on Sundays after the morning church service at 12noon.
Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road, Gillingham every Monday from 1.30 to 3.30pm and Medway African Caribbean Association (at the Sunlight Centre) on Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 4pm.
Gillingham Street Angels, Unit A Jenkins’ Dale, Chatham, ME4 5RD, on Monday mornings from 9.30am to 12noon.
Gillingham Street Angels Food Bank, 43 Skinner Street, Gillingham, ME7 1LG, every Tuesday morning from 9.30am to 12noon.
The Magpie Centre, 33 Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE, every Wednesday from 12noon to 2pm.
St. Augustine’s Church, Rock Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 5PW, every Friday morning from 9.30 to 11.30am.
Hop on our converted double-decker bus to get your blood pressure checked for free.
No appointment is needed, just walk-in.
Measure Your Pressure
To mark Measure Your Pressure Month 2023, you can get your blood pressure checked at a number of venues in Kent and Medway this September.
This includes at participating pharmacies (find your nearest pharmacy using our interactive map) and some community and sports centres.
You do not need to make an appointment to get your check.
Find out where you can get your pressure checked in Kent or Medway.
