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Dr Amir Khan tells everyone over 40 to buy one item - 'prevent years of damage'

The NHS GP and ITV doctor is urging anyone born after 1986 to invest in the device

[Dr Amir Khan speak to his Instagram followers]

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"This is genuinely one of my top tips for everyone over 40"(Image: Doctoramirkhan/Instagram)

Dr Amir Khan is urging everyone over the age of 40 to buy one specific item that he claims "could literally save your life" and "prevent years of damage". Taking to Instagram, the NHS GP, who regularly appears on ITV shows like Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, shared "genuinely" one of his best "top tips".

He said: "If you're over the age of 40, I genuinely think one of the best things you can do at home is buy a blood pressure monitor. It could literally save your life." In your 40s, blood pressure becomes a significant health issue.

As you get older, your blood vessels tend to stiffen, leading to an increase in blood pressure. Since high blood pressure often doesn't show any clear symptoms, it's commonly referred to as a "silent killer". For home blood pressure readings, the general targets, according to Dr Amir Khan, are:

• Ideal: Below 120/80 mmHg.
• Normal: Below 135/85 mmHg (when measured at home).
• High: 135/85 mmHg or above on the average of your readings over several days.

Why is it important for over 40s to monitor blood pressure?

Explaining what exactly blood pressure is and why it is important to monitor, Dr Amir Khan told his followers: "It's the force of blood pushing against the insides of your arteries. So when your heart contracts or squeezes to pump blood around your body, that's the top number. That's why it's a bit higher. When it relaxes between beats, the pressure falls a little bit, and that is your bottom number, your diastolic blood pressure."

The doctor said it's so important to keep tabs on your blood pressure because high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. Most people feel completely well, but over the years, it can quietly damage their blood vessels, increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye disease, heart failure, and even dementia. "That's why lots of people call it the silent killer", he said.

How can I take a blood pressure reading?

"Now, the beauty is that it's easy to measure. And if it's high, we can do something about it through lifestyle changes, medication or often both," he added. To get an accurate reading, Dr Amir Khan advises sitting quietly for five minutes beforehand. He also urges people to avoid caffeine, smoking, and exercise for about 30 minutes before, if possible.

"Now, sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed, and rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at the level of your heart," he said. "And remember, keep it on your bare skin, not over clothing. Keep still, don't talk while it's measuring. And then take two readings one minute apart.

"Do this morning and evening for seven days. Ignore the first reading and average the rest. That's the measurement we use in general practice. So you're taking two readings one minute apart, but it's the second reading you're most interested in. Think of the first one as a practice."

[Close-up of unrecognizable black woman preparing to check her blood pressure at home with an upper arm blood pressure monitor]

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The health expert urges people to buy a home blood pressure machine (stock image)

At the end of the video, he said: "Remember, you may not feel high blood pressure, but you can find it and finding it early can prevent years of damage before symptoms even appear. My top tip, buy a home blood pressure machine."

Can I get a free NHS blood pressure check if I'm over 40?

According to the NHS, many pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks for people aged 40 or over. Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks. You can get a free blood pressure check if you:

• are aged 40 or over
• live in England

You cannot get a free blood pressure check if you:

• already have high blood pressure
• have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past six months

The NHS says: "A pharmacist, or member of the pharmacy team, will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your upper arm to measure your blood pressure. They will then share the result with you." Depending on the result, they might:

• give you advice to support healthy living
• give you a blood pressure monitor to take home with you and return later
• advise you to see a GP

It adds: "If you're registered with a GP surgery, your blood pressure reading will be added to your GP health record. It will not be shared with anyone unless your blood pressure is very high or very low and you need urgent medical help."

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