Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force with which your heart pumps blood round your body. This pressure is not constant and changes depending on the activities you are doing, for example when you exercise your blood pressure rises and when you sleep it falls. If your blood pressure is persistently higher than normal you will be diagnosed as having hypertension.

What are the symptoms?

High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms. Although, very rarely, if blood pressure is extremely high it may cause headaches, dizziness, or disturbance of vision.To find out whether you have high blood pressure you will need to visit your GP to have your blood pressure read. Your doctor or nurse will usually check your blood pressure more than once before they decide whether you need treatment.
In nine out of 10 people with high blood pressure, there is no obvious cause; it just happens. Rarely, it can be caused by kidney problems, or medication such as the contraceptive pill. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medication.

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What treatments are available for hypertension?

There is no cure for hypertension but it can be treated easily and effectively. There are lots of lifestyle changes that you can make which will help lower your blood pressure (see below). If lifestyle changes alone do not lower your blood pressure then there are very effective medications which your doctor can prescribe. You should continue with the lifestyle changes while taking the medication. Although your blood pressure returns to normal with treatment, it may rise again if you stop treatment, so it is important that you follow the doctors instructions carefully and attend for regular blood pressure readings. Never stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor.

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Are there any side-effects from the treatment?

Side-effects are uncommon and depend on the type of medication you are taking. You may feel tired, your hands and feet may feel cold or you may become breathless. Very occasionally if your blood pressure is brought too low, dizziness and fainting may occur. If you think that you have any side-effects, even if they are not listed here, tell your doctor soon.

How will hypertension affect my life?

As long as you take your medication and have your blood pressure checked regularly, having hypertension should not affect your quality of life. Although some of the suggested lifestyle changes may be difficult to achieve, such as giving up smoking and exercising three times a week, in the long term you should feel healthier.

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Take action now

• If you smoke try to give up.
• Try to reach your ideal body weight.
• Moderate your alcohol intake. Do not exceed 21 units per week if female and 28 units per week if male (1 unit = 1/2 pint beer or cider; 1 glass wine; 1 measure spirits).
• Eat a sensible low-fat, high-fibre diet. ? Try to have a low salt intake by cutting down on added salt and junk food.
• Take regular exercise. Try to walk, swim, cycle or jog continuously for 30 minutes at least three times a week.
• Avoid persistent stress. Try to take it easy and relax.
• Take all medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not give your medication to anyone else.
• Do not stop your treatment without consulting your doctor first.
• Do not start taking any other medication without consulting your doctor first.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

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Further information

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