In 2025 a large increase in people seeking NHS guidance about high blood pressure was recorded, with hundreds of thousands more visits to online information about risk and testing.
The NHS high blood pressure page climbed from 30th place in 2024 to the second most visited health condition on NHS.uk, attracting just over 2 million visits. That equates to roughly one click every 15 seconds and represents a 36% rise from about 1.5 million visits the previous year.
High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and is often described as a silent killer because it usually causes no symptoms. It is estimated that around 4.1 million people in England have high blood pressure without realising it.
To help find people at hidden risk, NHS services are making checks easier and more accessible. Around 100,000 NHS Health Checks take place each month, and most pharmacies now offer free blood pressure checks for eligible people, including many aged over 40. NHS teams are also trialling blood pressure checks during dental and optometry appointments and taking checks into community settings such as barbershops and mosques.
Data shows 1,438,781 people had their blood pressure checked through NHS Health Checks last year, up from 1,418,929 in 2024. Those checks help thousands discover problems early and take steps to protect their health.
NHS England’s National Medical Director noted that as people navigate a growing amount of unregulated online content and AI-generated summaries, it is reassuring that more are turning to the NHS website for trusted advice on high blood pressure. He encouraged anyone who thinks they may be at risk, or who has been invited for an NHS Health Check, to take up the offer or book a check with their GP or local pharmacy, stressing that a simple test can be lifesaving.
Senior cardiac staff at the British Heart Foundation welcomed the rise in searches as a positive sign of growing awareness. They pointed out that about a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, often unknowingly, and emphasised that undiagnosed high blood pressure raises the chance of heart attacks and strokes. They advised that lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and reducing foods high in fat, salt and sugar can make a big difference, and that medication is available when needed. Checking blood pressure and cholesterol is quick and could be one of the most important actions for heart health.
People aged 40 to 74 without a pre-existing condition are invited to an NHS Health Check by their GP every five years; these checks are usually delivered by a health professional at the local practice.
COVID-19 remained the most viewed condition on the NHS website in 2025 with 2.3 million visits, although this was a 38% fall compared with 2024. Other frequently viewed topics in the top 10 included urinary tract infections, chickenpox, high cholesterol and shingles. High cholesterol was fifth with 1.7 million visits. Searches for iron deficiency anaemia and piles (haemorrhoids) also featured in the top 10. Visits to childhood infections such as hand, foot and mouth disease and chickenpox fell from 2024 levels but still had more than a million views each.
The NHS website is available 24/7 and provides guidance on symptoms, treatment options and when to seek further help. Managed by NHS England, it is the UK’s largest health website, covering hundreds of conditions and offering advice on accessing NHS services and preventive care such as NHS Health Checks.
The 10 most viewed health conditions on the NHS website in 2025 were:
1. COVID-19 (2.3 million)
2. High blood pressure (2.0 million)
3. Urinary tract infection (1.9 million)
4. Chickenpox (1.8 million)
5. High cholesterol (1.7 million)
6. Shingles (1.6 million)
7. Irritable bowel syndrome (1.4 million)
8. Hand, foot and mouth disease (1.4 million)
9. Iron deficiency anaemia (1.3 million)
10. Piles (haemorrhoids) (1.3 million)
Further information:
– Free blood pressure checks are available if you are aged 40 or over and live in England.
– The NHS Health Check is a free assessment of heart and blood vessel health for people aged 40–74 without a pre-existing condition, offered every five years by GP practices or local councils.
– If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your GP surgery or local council to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check.
