Around 13.5 million people have high blood pressure in the UK[1]. You might also hear high blood pressure being called hypertension.
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.
Take the Heart Age Test from the NHS to find out how your heart age compares to your real age.
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.
If you have any feedback or questions about how this information was created, please email healthinfo@well.co.uk. This mailbox is not intended for support with medical queries. Speak to your GP or pharmacist for medical advice. If you need help with a Well product or service, see our contact us page.
Published
November 2021
Next review
November 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/