Teacher from Watford urges everyone to get blood pressure checked

A primary school teacher from Watford who randomly discovered she had hidden high blood pressure has urged people to get checked.
Daisy Mpofu, 37, had not checked her blood pressure for around five years and had not thought about doing so until being offered the chance at the school where she works.
"Had I not had it checked then I probably would not have identified the fact I had high blood pressure as I just assumed it was still fine," she said.
Daisy Mpofu had not checked her blood pressure for around five years and had not thought about doing so until being offered the check at the school where she works. (Image: NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex) Having contacted her GP, Daisy was advised to take blood pressure readings at home over the course of a week and was then prescribed medication which has helped lower her blood pressure into the healthy range.
Daisy is now encouraging all her friends to get checked.
It comes as the NHS is urging everyone over 40 to 'take a sec to check' their blood pressure during May Measurement Month.
High blood pressure, sometimes known as hypertension, usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and stroke.
Anyone over 40 that has not been checked in the last six months can visit one of more than 200 pharmacies across Hertfordshire and west Essex.
The NHS says people who are black or South Asian are more likely to be at risk from high blood pressure, "so if this applies to you or your family members, please do come forward for a quick, free and painless check".

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