Hypertension, sometimes simply called high blood pressure, is where your heart has to work harder than it should to get blood around the body.
If left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. Talk to us to get expert help and advice, and we can help to find a treatment that works for you.
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Hypertension is a health condition in which the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. This can damage your arteries and increase the risk of heart, kidney and other health problems.
Blood flows from the heart to different parts of the body through blood vessels. With every heartbeat, the heart pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood flowing through your blood vessels and the resistance the blood faces when the heart is pumping it. The higher the blood pressure, the harder the heart has to work to pump blood.
Who gets hypertension?
The chances of suffering from hypertension increases with age. You will also be at higher risk of having a high blood pressure if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle, such as being overweight, not getting enough exercise, having a poor diet, smoking or drinking.
You’ll also be at a higher risk of suffering from hypertension if you are of African or Black Caribbean descent or live in a deprived area.
How common is hypertension?
Very. In 2010, it was estimated that around 31% of the world’s adult population had hypertension - some 1.4 billion people.
In the same study, it was found that the amount of people with hypertension in high-income countries is decreasing, whilst in low and middle income countries, the number is increasing quite rapidly. This means that worldwide, hypertension is becoming an ever-more common issue.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Hypertension
What causes hypertension?
Hypertension can occur due to many factors, such as: stress, unhealthy choices in your diet and lifestyle (like having food rich in fat and salt), smoking, drinking too much alcohol or lack of physical activity.
Besides these factors, some chronic medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, kidney problems and high cholesterol may also cause high blood pressure. You might also be at risk of having hypertension if any of your family members, especially your parents, have it.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because it often shows no noticeable symptoms at all, but does serious damage to the heart. It also increases the risk of damage to the kidneys or blood vessels without prior warning.
Though rare, high blood pressure symptoms may include headache, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, excessive sweating and heart palpitations. If you experience any of these, it might be a warning sign of high blood pressure – but because they’re quite non-specific symptoms, they could be caused by several other factors too.
The only way to know for sure if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked. If you haven’t been diagnosed with high blood pressure but you’re over 40, it’s recommended to get this done regularly, ideally once a year.
Can hypertension lead to other problems?
Hypertension is an illness which can cause serious health problems if left uncontrolled or untreated. It can trigger complications like: heart attack, heart palpitations, heart failure, stroke, loss of vision, dementia and kidney damage. Metabolic syndromes and even memory loss can also occur due to high blood pressure.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Hypertension
What medications are there for hypertension?
You’ll only be offered medications to help with hypertension if your blood pressure is at such a high level that you have a particularly high risk of suffering from other problems because of it, or if your risk of developing further issues is already high. The first suggestion will always be to make lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt, stopping smoking, drinking less caffeine, cutting down alcohol and exercising more. If you are prescribed a medicine to help lower your blood pressure, you’ll still need to do these things to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. There are five main types of treatments prescribed for hypertension.
Diuretics (chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide)
Diuretics help your kidneys remove the extra fluid and salt from your body through urine. So, if you are taking diuretics, you can expect to be urinating more often than before. By removing more water from your body through urine, the volume of blood that passes through your blood vessels (veins, arteries and capillaries) decreases as a result. This, in turn, reduces the force (pressure) that the blood applies to your vein and artery walls as it travels around your body. In other words, increased urination equals less blood which equals more space in your blood vessels for the blood to travel through. This then lowers your blood pressure.
Beta-blockers(atenolol, metoprolol)
These medicines lower blood pressure and make the heart beat slower. They block the effects of hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body which often cause heart palpitations, stress, high blood pressure and excessive sweating.
Calcium channel blockers(amlodipine, diltiazem)
These prescription medications relax the blood vessels and improve the circulation of blood and oxygen to the heart, and this in turn helps to lower blood pressure.
Commonly known as ACE inhibitors, these medicines enlarge or dilate the blood vessels so blood can pass through more easily, and this reduces blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers(valsartan, losartan)
Known as ARBs, these prescription drugs work as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). They relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. If a clinician does think you need treatment, there are a range of options to choose from, and their suitability will depend on different factors. For instance if you're under 55 years of age then you'll usually be offered an ACE inhibitor, or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker (ARB). Whereas if you're aged 55 or older, or of African or Caribbean descent then you'll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker.
Is there a ‘best’ treatment for hypertension?
The ‘best’ treatment for hypertension will largely depend on how high your blood pressure is and your personal health needs. If your blood pressure is not excessively high, then the best treatment will simply be to exercise more and eat healthier. If you do need treatment, then this can be a very individual thing – some people are able to control their blood pressure with just one medication along lifestyle changes, while other people may need a combination of medicines for treatment to be effective. You’ll normally have your blood pressure monitored regularly if you’re on treatment, so a clinician can suggest tweaks if needed. So really, the best treatment is the one that’s most effective for you.
Does hypertension always need treatment?
No, hypertension doesn’t always need treatment. Sometimes a few lifestyle changes can help to keep it under control. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, having a healthy diet, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can all lower high blood pressure.Hypertension is a very dangerous health condition and often shows no symptoms. So, never let it go untreated. Consulting a clinician and taking advice is recommended. They can examine your medical history and then suggest the right high blood pressure treatment for you.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Hypertension
FAQ: Hypertension
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
What is normal blood pressure?
Answer:
To find out if you have high blood pressure or to get your blood pressure reading, you should take a test. It is important that you understand the results of your test.
A blood pressure reading shows two numbers. For example: 120/80.
The first number is the systolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats and pumps blood.
The second number is the diastolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes.
If your blood pressure numbers fall within the healthy blood pressure range, which is between 90/60 and 120/80, then you should continue with your healthy diet and lifestyle.
You should talk to a doctor if your blood pressure is over 140/90.
People with a blood pressure that’s 120/80 and 140/90 are referred to as ‘pre-hypertensive’. If your blood pressure is within this range, you might not need treatment – but you’d likely benefit from making lifestyle changes, and be able to lower your risk of having high blood pressure.
But you should also remember that low blood pressure can also sometimes be a health risk. If your blood pressure continually remains or suddenly drops to 90/50mmHg, you should speak to a clinician.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Answer:
You’ll typically be diagnosed with hypertension if your blood pressure is consistently over 140/90mmHg (or 135/85mmHg at home).
If your level is regularly over this, but under 160/100mmHg, then you’ll likely be advised to make lifestyle changes, but won’t be prescribed any medications unless you’re at a particular risk of further complications.
Whereas if your blood pressure consistently reads at over 160/100mmHg then you should be taking medications to help reduce your hypertension, as a blood pressure above this level puts you at an increased risk of developing serious issues.
Are there tests for hypertension?
Answer:
The standard way to test for hypertension is with an inflatable cuff that goes around your arm. It is easy to use, and you can get your blood pressure tested easily at a range of places. You can ask your clinician to test your blood pressure, but you can also test it at some pharmacies, health events or workplaces.
You can also order a home testing kit so that you can check your blood pressure at home. But not all of them are accurate. If you do buy your own blood pressure monitor to use at home, make sure it’s approved by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS).
Can you get side effects from hypertension treatment?
Answer:
Medicines for high blood pressure can give you side effects, but not everyone gets them. If you do get side effects from your hypertension treatment, then you should stop using it and contact our clinician. It may be that you should try and use a different medication.
The most common side effect from ACE inhibitors is a persistent, dry cough, and possible side effects from ARBs include dizziness, headaches and cold or flu-like symptoms. CCBs can come with side effects such as headaches, constipation and swollen ankles. Please, though, refer to our individual product pages for more specific advice on side-effects, as each individual product can have different side effects.
Does hypertension treatment always work?
Answer:
Studies have frequently found ACE inhibitors, ARBs and CCBs (calcium channel blockers) to all be effective in lowering blood pressure compared to placebo, or just exercise alone . Beta blockers will usually only be prescribed to lower blood pressure as a ‘last resort’ if all other treatment options haven’t worked. This is because they aren’t as effective as the other treatments for hypertension.
Different treatments will work better for different people, so you might need to try a couple before you find a treatment that works for you, but you should be able to find a treatment that helps you to control your blood pressure.
Remember, though, not to rely on treatment alone. The treatments will always work best alongside a considered diet and exercise.
Why should I buy hypertension treatment online with Treated?
Answer:
If you have a prescription for high blood pressure treatment, and want to renew it with us, we can deliver it to you the very next day, for free. Just talk to us about your health, and we can get you the treatment that you need, when you need it.
Once you’ve received your treatment, we’ll check in with you to make sure it’s all going well. We’ll help you make any adjustments to your treatment you need. You can pause, change or cancel your subscription whenever you want.
Comparative efficacy of exercise and anti-hypertensive pharmacological interventions in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension: A network meta-analysis. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 27(3), pp.247–255
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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