High blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes
It's very common, especially in older adults, and usually has no symptoms
Lifestyle changes and medicine can both help keep it under control
Getting checked is the only way to know if you have it
Free checks are available at many pharmacies for people 40 and over
About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can lead to serious problems such as heart attacks or strokes if left untreated, though lifestyle changes and medicine can both help keep it under control. It's very common, particularly in older adults, and usually causes no symptoms, so many people have it without realising.
Things that increase your chances of developing high blood pressure include getting older, having close relatives with the condition, a Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian background, an unhealthy diet (especially one high in salt), being overweight, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and prolonged stress.
Symptoms
High blood pressure doesn't usually cause any noticeable symptoms, which is why getting checked is the only reliable way to find out if you have it. Rarely, it can cause headaches, blurred vision, or chest pain.
?? Get help from NHS 111 if:
You often get headaches or blurred vision; you have chest pain that comes and goes; or you have other symptoms you're worried could be linked to high blood pressure.
?? Call 999 if:
You get sudden chest pain or discomfort that doesn't go away — it may feel like squeezing, pressure, burning, or indigestion; the pain spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, stomach or back; or you have chest pain along with sweating, feeling sick, lightheaded, or short of breath. This could be a heart attack, needing immediate hospital treatment. Do not drive yourself to A&E — the 999 call handler will advise you.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
High Blood Pressure · Getting Checked
Getting Your Blood Pressure Checked
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
When to Get Checked
Get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy or GP surgery if you think you might have high blood pressure or be at risk, or if you're 40 or over and haven't had it checked in more than 5 years. Many pharmacies offer free checks for people aged 40 and over, though some may charge, and some workplaces offer checks too.
What Happens During a Check
A blood pressure test involves inflating a cuff around your upper arm to measure the pressure in your blood vessels. If the test suggests you might have high blood pressure, you may be asked to monitor it at home over a few days, return for a repeat check a few days or weeks later, or wear a portable monitor that takes readings over 24 hours, all to help confirm the diagnosis.
Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers, with the first higher than the second (for example, 130/80). You're generally considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional, or 135/85 or higher when checked at home.
The Risks of Leaving It Untreated
If blood pressure stays too high, it puts extra strain on the blood vessels, heart, and other organs such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Left untreated, this can raise the risk of serious conditions including heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular dementia. Even a small reduction in blood pressure can meaningfully lower this risk.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
High Blood Pressure · Treatment
How to Lower Your Blood Pressure
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy lifestyle changes can genuinely help lower blood pressure. This includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly (aiming for at least 150 minutes a week), and losing weight if you're overweight. It's also worth cutting down on salt, keeping alcohol within 14 units a week, reducing caffeine (found in drinks like coffee, tea and cola), and stopping smoking if you smoke.
Medicines
A GP will usually prescribe medicine for high blood pressure if it's very high, if you're at higher risk of related problems such as a heart attack or stroke, or if it remains high despite lifestyle changes. There are many different medicines available, and the one recommended depends on factors such as how high your blood pressure is, your age, and your ethnicity. Most are taken as a once-daily tablet, and some people need more than one medicine to keep their blood pressure well controlled.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
