What is hypertension?
Hypertension means the pressure inside your arteries is persistently higher than normal. It is often called a “silent” condition because most people feel no symptoms for years while the high pressure quietly damages the heart, arteries, kidneys and brain. It is a leading treatable risk factor for heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
What causes it?
In most people no single cause is found; age, family history, excess salt, overweight, inactivity, alcohol, stress and poor sleep all contribute. In a minority, high blood pressure is caused by a kidney problem, a hormonal disorder or a medication (“secondary” hypertension), which your doctor will look for when appropriate.
Symptoms
There are usually none — that is the danger. Very high pressures can occasionally cause headache, blurred vision, breathlessness or chest discomfort. The only way to know your blood pressure is to measure it. If you have not had it checked recently, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on repeated readings taken correctly — in the clinic, at home, or with a 24-hour monitor — not on a single measurement. Your doctor will also check for organ effects and other risk factors.
Treatment
For most people, treatment starts with lifestyle changes: reducing salt, reaching a healthier weight, regular physical activity, limiting alcohol, stopping smoking and managing stress. Many people also need one or more blood-pressure medicines, taken every day as prescribed even when they feel well. Targets are individualised, so follow your own doctor’s plan.
When to seek emergency care
Call your local emergency services immediately for chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, or difficulty breathing — these may signal a heart attack or stroke.
Related: coronary artery disease · heart failure · peripheral arterial disease