Tesco has relaunched its free blood pressure check service for customers, as the supermarket giant prioritises heart health in partnership with the British Heart Foundation.

The UK’s largest retailer is encouraging shoppers and colleagues to undergo a free NHS blood pressure check at their local Tesco pharmacy.

The initiative is available both through booking and without an appointment, at the convenience of shoppers. The supermarket claimed the initiative’s launch is aimed at helping members of the public detect cases of undiagnosed high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

It follows research commissioned by Tesco, coinciding with the British Heart Foundation’s campaign to “Keep hearts beating this Heart Month” throughout February.

The grocery retailer conducted a survey that found 15% of adults citing a lack of time as the main reason they do not get their blood pressure checked.

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Tesco Pharmacy Services Manager Jonathan Bridgett said: “We know how important it is for people to get their blood pressure checked, and seeing some of the survey results shows that many people don’t realise just how convenient and quick a free check in a Tesco Pharmacy can be, especially without the need for an appointment.

“People can make a number of small changes to their lifestyle that support heart health, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and I’m happy to be working with British Heart Foundation again to highlight this important issue and hopefully prevent heart attacks and strokes.”

It marks a return of the scheme, which first launched in February 2023. It saw Tesco offering up to half a million free blood pressure checks, following findings that millions of Brits were deprioritising routine health checks.

Tesco also offers an array of other healthcare services available to shoppers, including a pilot, which launched late last November, allowing customers to access advice, treatment and virtual GP appointments for a range of health concerns in the supermarket’s first ever dedicated health zone.

Existing in-store pharmacy offers also include services such as flu jabs, NHS Pharmacy First services, and free advice on cancer, heart disease and diabetes.