

At the start of every year, with all my New Year’s resolutions of being healthier, I go to my doctor and get a complete health check-up. It’s an effort though. A worthwhile effort, but an effort.
There’s finding time to see the doctor, making an appointment (finding out the doctor is booked on the one day I’m free), going there, getting the tests done, going back for the results and being out of pocket for the cost of the visits. If it wasn’t for the guilt of New Years, I am sure I would skip it.
I can only imagine how I would push my health to the side if it was for one thing, like getting a regular blood pressure test, which I’ve just found out is important.

According to the Heart Foundation, more than two in five adult Australians have hypertension (high blood pressure) that is unmanaged, and almost 50 percent of heart disease deaths in Australia are attributable to high blood pressure. It is the number one risk factor for heart disease, yet a third of those suffering from high blood pressure aren’t controlling or managing it properly.
TerryWhite Chemmart has developed a partnership with the Heart Foundation to help Australians achieve better health by offering free blood pressure checks at their pharmacies.
I spoke to Krystel Tresillian, a Clinical Services Pharmacist at TerryWhite Chemmart, who gave me information on what is involved in blood pressure checks and why I (and everyone else) should pop into their local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacy for a check.
“While customers can book online, many pharmacies offer this as a walk-in service. It only takes five minutes,” says Krystel.
She advised that anyone over the age of 45 should have their blood pressure checked every two years, but if you have family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack you should get your blood pressure checked once a year. And of course, even if you don’t tick any of the above, if your GP has advised you to get regular checks, listen to them.
Close to 6 million Australians have high blood pressure and many have no management plan to manage their...
Posted by Heart Foundation on Thursday, 28 September 2017
The good news about getting a blood pressure test is you don’t have to do (or avoid) anything beforehand.
Top Comments
A must for all adults.