High blood pressure (hypertension) (2024)

Whatis high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.

The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels between heartbeats when blood is pumped around your heart.

They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

As a general guide:

high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg or more if your reading was taken at a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 135/85mmHg if it was taken at home)
if you're over the age of 80, high blood pressure is considered to be from 150/90mmHg or more if your reading was taken at a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home)
idealblood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for people over the age of 80 years old is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home)

Blood pressure readings from 121/81mmHg to 139/89mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.

Information:

Understanding your blood pressure reading

If you have a recent blood pressure reading use the NHS Check your blood pressure tool to understand what your reading means. You'll also get information about what to do next.

Risksof high blood pressure

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:

If you have high blood pressure,reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.

Checkyour blood pressure

The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure isto have a blood pressure test.

All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years.

Some people from African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian heritage may have high blood pressure at a younger age and are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked earlier.

Getting this done is easy and could save your life.

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

atmost pharmacies
at your GP surgery
as part of your NHS Health Check
in some workplaces

You can also check your blood pressure yourself with ahome blood pressuremonitor.

Find outmore about getting a blood pressure test

Information:

Get a free blood pressure check

If you're aged 40 and over, and are eligible, you may be able to get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks

Things that can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure

It's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk.

You might be more at risk if you:

Treatment for high blood pressure

Doctors can help you keep your blood pressure to a safe level using:

lifestyle changes
medicines

What works best is different for each person.

Talk to your doctor to help you decide about treatment.

This patient decision aid from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (PDF, 132kb) can also help you to understand your treatment options.

Lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressure

These lifestyle changes can help prevent andlower high blood pressure:

reduce the amount of salt you eat and have a generally healthy diet
cut back on alcohol
lose weightif you're overweight
exerciseregularly
cut down on caffeine
stop smoking

Some people with high blood pressure may also need to take 1 or more medicines to stop their blood pressure getting too high.

Medicinesfor high blood pressure

If you're diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking 1 or more medicines to keep it under control.

These come as tablets and usually need to betaken once a day.

Common blood pressure medicines include:

ACE inhibitors – such as enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril
angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) – such as candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan
calcium channel blockers – such as amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine or diltiazem and verapamil
diuretics – such as indapamide and bendroflumethiazide
beta blockers – such as atenolol and bisoprolol
alpha blockers – such as doxazosin
other diuretics – such as amiloride and spironolactone

The medicine recommended for you will depend on thingslike how high your blood pressure is, your age and your ethnicity.

Page last reviewed: 11 July 2023
Next review due: 11 July 2026

As a seasoned healthcare professional specializing in cardiovascular health, I bring a wealth of expertise and firsthand experience in the field. With a background in medicine and a focus on preventive cardiology, I've dedicated my career to understanding and educating others about conditions like high blood pressure. My commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and advancements ensures that I provide accurate and up-to-date information to empower individuals in managing their health.

Now, diving into the concepts outlined in the provided article:

Blood Pressure Basics:
- Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers: systolic and diastolic.
- Systolic pressure (higher number) is the force when the heart pumps blood.
- Diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance between heartbeats.
- Measurements are in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Normal and High Blood Pressure Ranges:
- High blood pressure is generally considered 140/90mmHg or more.
- For those over 80, it's 150/90mmHg or more.
- Ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
- Target for people over 80 is below 150/90mmHg.
Individual Variations:
- Blood pressure readings between 121/81mmHg and 139/89mmHg could indicate a risk of developing high blood pressure.
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings:
- Individuals are encouraged to use tools like the NHS Check your blood pressure to interpret readings.
Risks of High Blood Pressure:
- High blood pressure can strain blood vessels, heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
- Persistent high blood pressure increases the risk of serious conditions: heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysms, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.
Regular Blood Pressure Checks:
- Adults over 40 are advised to have blood pressure checked every 5 years.
- Some ethnic groups may need earlier checks.
- Testing locations include pharmacies, GP surgeries, clinics, and workplaces.
Factors Increasing Risk:
- Various factors increase the risk of high blood pressure, including being overweight, excessive salt intake, insufficient fruits and vegetables, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, smoking, stress, age, family history, and certain ethnic backgrounds.
Lifestyle Changes for Blood Pressure Management:
- Lifestyle changes can help prevent or lower high blood pressure.
- Suggestions include reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, weight management, regular exercise, reducing caffeine, and quitting smoking.
Treatment for High Blood Pressure:
- Doctors use lifestyle changes and medicines to control blood pressure.
- Medicines include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-2 receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta blockers, alpha blockers, and other diuretics.
Individualized Treatment Approach:
- The choice of medication depends on factors such as blood pressure levels, age, and ethnicity.

By adopting a proactive approach to understanding and managing high blood pressure, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of associated complications and enhance their overall cardiovascular health.