High blood pressure

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (hypertension) means the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. Over time, this damages the arteries and significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.

Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, which is why it is sometimes called the "silent killer". The only way to know is to have your blood pressure measured.

Common symptoms

Most people feel completely well. Occasionally, very high blood pressure can cause:

• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds
• Dizziness

How is it diagnosed?

• Clinic blood pressure measurements: taken on at least two separate occasions
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM): a cuff worn for 24 hours to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure throughout the day and night
• Blood tests: to check kidney function, cholesterol, and blood sugar
• ECG and echocardiogram: to assess whether the heart has been affected

How is it treated?

• Lifestyle changes: reducing salt, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, moderating alcohol, managing stress
• Medications: one or more blood pressure tablets, chosen based on your age, background, and other health conditions
• Regular monitoring: to ensure your blood pressure stays at target

The aim of treatment is to reduce your long-term risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

How should you prepare?

For any appointment it helps to bring: a list of your current medications and doses; copies or details of any previous heart tests (ECGs, scans, or angiogram reports); a note of your symptoms, when they happen, and what brings them on; and your questions. If you have results from another hospital, ask that clinic to send them ahead of your visit.

When to seek urgent help

If you develop a sudden severe headache, chest pain, visual disturbance, or confusion, call 999 or 112. These could be signs of a hypertensive emergency or stroke.