Know Your Numbers (8 to 14 September 2025)
Know Your Numbers returns for Bromley residents this autumn, offering free blood pressure and pulse checks from One Bromley partners, led by Public Health, Bromley.
Walk-in “pressure stations” will be set up at convenient ‘pressure station’ locations in Mottingham and Penge, offering free checks with no appointment necessary and is open to all adults.
Checking your blood pressure and pulse takes just a few minutes and can have a significant impact on your health. Whether for peace of mind or an early warning sign, these simple checks can help detect high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat, which are often silent indicators of serious health conditions.
Pressure stations will be held in Mottingham and Penge:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 8 September 2025 | 10am to 2pm | Cranley Parade, Mottingham, SE9 4DZ |
| Thursday 11 September 2025 | 10am to 3pm | Empire Square, Penge, SE20 7EU |
Can’t make it to a pressure station during Know Your Numbers Week? Consider finding a local community pharmacy offering blood pressure checks, trying a home blood pressure monitor instead, or getting a free Vital 5 check at the One Bromley Wellbeing Hub in The Glades Shopping Centre.
Don’t leave your health to chance - know your numbers.
Bromley Well will also be giving free blood pressure checks at a health workshop for people and families with Learning Difficulties on Monday 1 September.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries - the vessels that carry your blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body. You need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood moving around your body.
Your blood pressure naturally goes up and down throughout the day and night, and it is normal for it to go up while you are moving around. However, when your blood pressure is consistently high, even when you are resting, this is a sign that your blood pressure is at an unhealthy level and requires action to bring it down to a healthier level.
Visit British Heart Foundation (BHF) to learn more about blood pressure.
Community pharmacy blood pressure check service
Did you know that you can now have your blood pressure checked for free in a community pharmacy? Find out where your nearest participating pharmacy is:
Community Pharmacy blood pressure check service
What should your blood pressure level be?
Ideally, blood pressure readings between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Most people in the UK have blood pressures higher than the ideal, but below the usual level for diagnosing high blood pressure – somewhere between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg. If you are in this range, you could develop high blood pressure in the future. Taking steps to lower your blood pressure will keep your risk of health problems down.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
Exercise levels, diet, and weight influence your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you can start lowering blood pressure today by eating more healthily and being more active.
Check out Blood Pressure UK’s advice for exercise and activity and find healthy eating tips to help lower blood pressure levels.
Blood pressure monitors for use at home are available at most local pharmacies and you can ask the staff there to confirm if the monitor is clinically validated to give yourself confidence in the results.
If you have any other questions about home monitoring, your blood pressure or heart health, you can contact Blood Pressure UK on their helpline: 020 7882 6218 or by email: help@bloodpressureuk.org
Pulse checks
A pulse check is a simple examination, usually taken from the radial artery, which can be felt at the wrist, where a watchstrap usually sits, in line with the base of the thumb. It should be felt with two or three fingers of the other hand.
A normal pulse will have a regular rate of about 70 beats per minute but can be lower or higher. An irregular pulse can be caused by a number of heart rhythm disturbances, but the most common is atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF can increase your risk of stroke, so it is important to know whether you have it, so you can reduce your risk.
This means it’s a good idea to check your pulse or get your doctor or nurse to do it for you. Those aged between 40 and 74 can also have a pulse check as part of an NHS Health Check.