When Should You Have Your Blood Pressure Checked?

An Age-Based Guide from Mentone General Practice

Blood pressure is a silent risk factor.
It can stay high for years without causing symptoms.
Many people only discover a problem after complications begin.

Regular blood pressure checks help prevent this.
Your GP at Mentone General Practice uses national preventive guidelines to decide when checks are needed and how often.

Babies, Children and Teenagers

Routine blood pressure checks are not part of standard screening for healthy children and adolescents.

A GP may still measure blood pressure if:

  • There are concerning symptoms

  • A child is significantly overweight

  • Kidney or heart conditions are present

  • There is a strong family history of hypertension

For most children, no regular schedule is required.

Adults Aged 18 to 44 Years

From the age of 18, blood pressure should be checked from time to time during GP visits.

This is called opportunistic screening.

It usually happens when:

  • You attend to another health issue

  • You have a routine consultation

  • A GP is reviewing general health

High blood pressure can begin early in adulthood.
Checking it early helps prevent long-term damage.

Adults Aged 45 to 79 Years

Regular blood pressure checks become more important in midlife.

For adults in this age group:

  • Blood pressure is checked as part of routine care

  • Readings are reviewed over time

  • Results contribute to the overall heart disease risk assessment

This age range gains the most benefit from structured screening.

Adults Aged 80 Years and Older

Blood pressure monitoring should continue in older age.

Your GP may:

  • Check blood pressure sitting and standing

  • Look for dizziness or risk

  • Review results alongside medications and general health

The goal is safe control, not over-treatment.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Blood pressure assessment starts earlier.

  • Individual risk factors may be reviewed from age 18

  • Cardiovascular risk assessment usually starts from age 30

This approach reflects higher lifetime risk and earlier disease onset.

How Often Is Blood Pressure Usually Checked?

There is no single rule that suits everyone.

As a general guide:

  • Younger adults: checked during routine GP visits

  • Middle-aged adults: checked regularly

  • People with risk factors: checked more often

Your GP at Mentone General Practice will personalise this based on your health history.

Why These Checks Matter

High blood pressure:

  • Rarely causes symptoms

  • It is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke

  • Affects the kidneys, eyes, and brain over time

Early detection makes treatment simpler and more effective.

Speak With Your GP in Mentone

If you are unsure when your blood pressure was last checked, ask at your next visit.

It takes only a few minutes.

Your GP can:

  • Measure your blood pressure accurately

  • Explain what the numbers mean

  • Help you reduce future health risks

Preventive care works best when it is regular and tailored.

References

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
    Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (Red Book).

  • National Heart Foundation of Australia.
    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in adults.