- Boots brings back its FREE Health MOT for people in England aged 40 and over*
- Free health quiz also available on the Boots Health Hub for all adults**
- Talking about your heart health and having blood pressure checks can save lives
- This Valentine’s Day, Married at First Sight and Celebs Go Dating host and relationship expert Paul C. Brunson shares advice for couples on having heart health conversations
Boots has brought back its popular Free Health MOT for people over 40 that do not have a diagnosis of high blood pressure, available at its stores in England.*
The Free Health MOT includes the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service with an optional Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference check alongside personalised lifestyle advice. It aims to help eligible patients identify high blood pressure, which is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, heart disease and strokes, but rarely has noticeable symptoms. People aged 40 and over are at higher risk of high blood pressure.
This Valentine’s Day, when matters of the heart are front of mind, Boots has teamed up with TV host and relationship expert Paul C. Brunson to encourage people to open conversations about heart health with their loved ones.
Paul said: “I know from my experience as a relationship coach that sometimes conversations about health concerns can be challenging for many couples, especially if our concern is for the health of a loved one as we fear upsetting them, or perhaps conflict.
“I’m teaming up with Boots to highlight the importance of having these conversations, and to provide some advice on how to start them. I’d also encourage anyone over 40 in England to take advantage of the Free Health MOT now available at Boots – and for couples out there to consider booking an appointment together. I’ve had an MOT myself and will be encouraging my wife and other loved ones to get one this month.”
Paul’s three tips for having conversations about heart health with a partner or loved one:
“Prepare and educate yourself: Begin by visiting the Boots Health Hub to learn about heart health. Being informed helps in presenting the issue clearly and responding to any questions with confidence.
- “Listen actively: Make sure you listen to what your partner has to say. This shows that you respect their feelings and are genuinely interested in understanding their perspective.
- “Express empathy and take action: Showing empathy is about more than just understanding; it’s about taking steps together.
Advice for next steps is available on Boots.com, including how to book a Boots Free Health MOT, which is available at most Boots stores in England until the end of June. It consists of a 15-minute appointment with a Boots pharmacist, during which patients will receive:
- The NHS Blood Pressure Check Service, with GP referral if needed
- Optional BMI (Body Mass Index) and waist circumference measurement
- Lifestyle guidance on exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental wellbeing and stopping smoking
- Personalised advice and recommendations
Boots has also launched a free, online health check in partnership with the NHS Better Health campaign.** The quiz, called the Healthier You Review, is for all adults aged 18 and over, and is available at the Boots Health Hub. It covers five topics – nutrition, movement, sleep, smoking and alcohol – to give users a wellness score out of 10 and personalised tips.
Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “The Free Health MOT at Boots is back and we are hoping even more patients will access the service this time round. The MOT is intended to give people greater insight into their health – with a particular focus on the heart – and take steps to help improve it. As we get older, we become more vulnerable to high blood pressure, so it’s important that we take steps to help stay healthy to prevent future potential cardiovascular conditions.”
Appointments are available instore until June 2024. For more information on the Free Health MOT at Boots and to book an appointment, visit boots.com/health-mot.
*Free health MOT available in participating stores, England only. Appointments available from now until the end of June. Waist circumference & BMI checks optional. The NHS Blood Pressure Check Service is for adults aged 40+ that do not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension, adults under 40 that have a recognised family history of hypertension (at the Pharmacist’s discretion) and adults referred by the GP for the measurement of blood pressure. Subject to availability.
**Boots has teamed up with the NHS Better Health campaign to help people make healthier choices with free email support including tips, tools, and advice. The campaign uses Better Health’s online quiz to ask simple questions about people’s behaviour on a range of topics including eating and drinking habits, smoking, daily stress and exercise. Customers can then choose to receive personalised recommendations on how to improve their health. Customers can also get relevant product and service recommendations from Boots. Please note, the online quiz is not a medical assessment. For advice about your health, please speak to a doctor or pharmacist.