It has installed self service monitors in selected libraries and WV Active leisure centres, along with home blood pressure monitors which people can borrow for free.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “We are delighted to be able to make it as easy as possible for people to get their blood pressure checked by rolling out self service monitors in libraries and leisure centres, and in people's homes.

"It's really important to know your numbers – it's thought around 5 million adults aged 18 to 64 in the UK could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and early death.

"It can lead to heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, which causes around 2,300 deaths each month in the Midlands alone.

"So please make sure you know your numbers and get a free blood pressure check – it only takes a few minutes, but the impact can last a lifetime."

People can check their blood pressure for free, without an appointment, by using a self service health monitor at WV Active Aldersley, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central, Central Library, Warstones Library, Bilston Library, Wednesfield Library and the Bob Jones Community Hub.

In addition, people can borrow home monitors from any of the above sites so they can more closely check their blood pressure each morning and evening, which will provide a more accurate picture of their health over a 2 week period.

Home blood pressure monitoring is recommended when someone’s blood pressure is high or borderline, when readings vary from day to day, when a GP wants a clearer picture of someone’s blood pressure, or when someone is either starting or adjusting blood pressure medication.

For locations and opening times of WV Active sites, please visit Our centres, and for libraries, visit Find your nearest library.

Alternatively, community pharmacies offer a free blood pressure check service for people aged 40 and over with no previous history of high blood pressure; to find your local pharmacy, please visit Find a pharmacy. 

Thanks to the council's track record of managing its money well, combined with a positive financial settlement from Government, it has been able to invest in initiatives like this, and in other priority areas for the city's residents.