A BIG-hearted pharmacy is offering free heart health checks in Redditch as part of a national All About Health campaign, 50 Hearts.

Matchborough Pharmacy is encouraging residents to have a heart health check during National Cholesterol Month this October.

Pharmacies all over the UK are taking part in the 50 Hearts campaign and all stores that complete 50 heart health checks during October will be entered into a prize draw. The winning three pharmacies will be rewarded with a cheque to give to a local charity of their choice.

Pharmacist John Worton wants the whole community to understand the importance of regularly monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol.

He said: "Having a quick heart health check is a good starting point for anyone wanting to find out how healthy they are. High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are linked to a number of serious conditions but many people are unaware that they are at risk and are therefore unsure of how to manage this.

“We’re urging locals to adopt a healthy habit and are calling on people to drop by and have a quick blood pressure check with no appointment necessary. People can even pop in on their lunch break for a quick test."

Heart disease remains the number one killer in the UK. Heart UK warns that six in 10 people have raised cholesterol, leaving them at increased risk of heart attack. According to Blood Pressure UK approximately one third of people with high blood pressure do not know they have it leaving them three times more likely to develop heart disease.

Mr Worton added: "If you have high blood pressure we can offer bespoke advice on how to start lowering it by eating more healthily and getting regular exercise.

“Everyone that comes in for a check will not only be helping themselves but will be supporting us in reaching our target number of tests to win the cash prize for our local charity."

To take a test, visit the pharmacy in Matchborough Centre or for more advice about heart health, visit allabouthealth.org.uk.