High blood pressure (hypertension) is a symptom-less condition in which abnormally high pressure in a person’s arteries means the heart has to work harder to keep the blood circulation going.   Blood pressure varies naturally over a person’s life and with the time of day – it is highest in the morning and lowest at night during sleep.

Blood pressure tends to increase naturally as we get older so the risk of high blood pressure increases with age.  Factors such as gender, smoking, high salt intake, inadequate physical activity and obesity will also increase the risk of developing the condition.  Doctors consider that high blood pressure tends to run in families.  Diabetics need to be aware that they may be particularly at risk of developing high blood pressure.

In most people, high blood pressure causes no symptoms.  It has been called the ‘silent killer’ because it doesn’t usually cause any symptoms for many years.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of health problems such as stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, heart attack and kidney damage.  If a person’s high blood pressure is severe or long-standing and untreated, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, restlessness and blurred vision may occur as a result of damage to vital organs.

Blood pressure is measured after you have been sitting or lying down for a few minutes.  A reading of 140/90 mmHg is considered high but diagnosis cannot be made on a single reading.  It must be confirmed by at least two further measurements – preferably taken on different days.  These will help diagnose both the presence of  high blood pressure and also help classify its severity.¹

High blood pressure can be treated to reduce the blood pressure to a normal level.  In addition to lifestyle changes, there are a wide variety of medical treatments available and treatment should be tailored to the individual.  Most people tolerate their anti-hypertensive medications without problems.  However, if side effects occur, it is important to discuss these with your doctor who can look at changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.

• Giving up smoking
• Losing any excess weight
• Taking regular physical exercise
• Keeping alcohol intake to within recommended limits
• Eating more fruit and vegetables