What's high blood pressure?
Around 13.5 million people have high blood pressure in the UK[1]. You might also hear high blood pressure being called hypertension.
How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
There are usually no symptoms linked with high blood pressure. Most people will find out they have high blood pressure after having a blood pressure check with a pharmacist or GP.
How healthy is your heart?
Take the Heart Age Test from the NHS to find out how your heart age compares to your real age.
How to treat high blood pressure
Treatment for high blood pressure involves lifestyle changes or medication.
If you get coronavirus, you’re more likely to become seriously ill if you have high blood pressure, another heart condition or a condition relating to how blood circulates through the body, compared to someone who doesn’t have any health problems[2].
Find out more about coronavirus, including symptoms and advice for people who are at higher risk, on the NHS website.
Where can I get further support and information?
As well as talking to your pharmacist or GP, there are a number of charities and organisations offering support and information.
More topics
Published
April 2021
Next review
April 2022
Reviewed by
Gill Stone MRPharmS
References
1.
Context | Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE. Accessed December 7, 2020.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136/chapter/Context2.
Coronavirus: what it means for you if you have heart or circulatory disease. Accessed December 1, 2020.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health3.
High blood pressure (hypertension). nhs.uk. Published October 23, 2017. Accessed December 1, 2020.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
