High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

What is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as two numbers. A blood pressure reading above 140/90mmHg is considered high. High blood pressure (hypertension) is very common in the UK, affecting about 1 in 3 adults.

Symptoms

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms — this is why it is often called the “silent killer”. Most people only find out they have high blood pressure when it is measured by a healthcare professional. Rarely, very high blood pressure can cause headaches, blurred vision, or chest pain.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of high blood pressure is often not clear, but certain factors increase your risk:

• Being overweight or obese
• Eating too much salt
• Not being physically active enough
• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• Smoking
• Being over 65
• Having a family history of high blood pressure
• Being of African Caribbean or South Asian origin

Diagnosis

Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). Your GP may ask you to take readings at home (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) over 24 hours to get a more accurate reading.

Treatment

• Lifestyle changes — reducing salt intake, increasing exercise, limiting alcohol, losing weight if overweight, quitting smoking
• Medicines — ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, thiazide diuretics

Target Blood Pressure

For most people, the target blood pressure is below 140/90mmHg. For people with diabetes or kidney disease, the target is usually below 130/80mmHg.