High Blood Pressure Medication

Video: Understanding Blood Pressure - British Heart Foundation

In the animation below, the British Heart Foundation explains what blood pressure is, how to measure it, what the numbers mean, and the consequences if it remains consistently high. 

What exactly does high blood pressure mean?

This diagnosis is a clinical term used to describe a condition where your heart has to work consistently harder than normal to pump blood around your body. This sustained force can cause long-term damage to blood vessels, organs, and the heart itself, leading to a severe risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.

Video: An NHS Doctor Explains High Blood Pressure

An NHS doctor explains what high blood pressure is, the common factors that can contribute towards it, and its potential effects on your health in the video below.

What does high blood pressure feel like? (Common Symptoms)

Because the condition often develops without any obvious high blood pressure symptoms, many people do not realise they have it. In fact, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that nearly a third (32%) of all adults in England living with hypertension are completely undiagnosed.^[1] This lack of clear warning signs is why it is frequently referred to as a "silent killer."

However, if your blood pressure spikes dangerously high, you may experience severe physical reactions. Sudden dizzy spells, ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, and sometimes nosebleeds are common in extreme cases. Furthermore, the immense strain on your cardiovascular system can trigger severe tension headaches and leave you feeling completely exhausted. In fact, unexplained fatigue and persistent tiredness are very common side effects of unmanaged hypertension. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s highly important to get your numbers checked as soon as possible.

What reading is considered high blood pressure?

A reading is clinically considered high blood pressure when your systolic pressure (the top number) consistently reaches 140 or your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) reaches 90. When getting your blood pressure checked, the systolic pressure measures the force of the blood being pumped into circulation, while the diastolic pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart rests and fills with blood. You can see exactly what is classed as high blood pressure using the classification chart below:

Learn more about how to take a blood pressure reading and how to check your blood pressure from home. 

What are the main causes of high blood pressure?

The root causes of high blood pressure are typically categorised into two types: primary and secondary. Primary hypertension develops gradually over many years with no single unidentifiable cause. Secondary hypertension appears suddenly and is usually triggered by other underlying health conditions or medications.

The most common contributing factors include lifestyle choices such as a diet that is high in salt or saturated fat, a lack of regular exercise, and being overweight. Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking tobacco also significantly increase your risk. Furthermore, ageing (particularly over 60 years old) and a family history of hypertension make you much more susceptible. However, major research from the UK Biobank study has shown that even if you have a high genetic risk of high blood pressure, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly offset that risk.^[2] It is also important to manage your mental wellbeing, as high, sustained levels of stress will temporarily spike your numbers and can contribute to permanent vascular damage over time.

How to reduce your blood pressure safely through lifestyle

Even if your reading is only slightly elevated, the very first step in taking control of your cardiovascular health is to make lifestyle changes. A natural approach to lowering high blood pressure includes eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods, while increasing your intake of fish, nuts, and whole grains.

Crucially, you must be mindful of your diet. According to the UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), reducing your daily salt intake is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure.^[3] You should actively avoid high-sodium foods, reduce your intake of sugar, and cut back heavily on saturated fats and trans-fats.

Video: A Doctor Explains How To Lower Your Blood Pressure

In the video below, Dr Jessica Randall-Carrick explains the lifestyle changes you can make to help you reduce your blood pressure:

Can you lower high blood pressure instantly?

While there is no permanent medical cure to lower high blood pressure instantly, performing slow, deep breathing exercises can temporarily relax your blood vessels by activating your parasympathetic nervous system. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need a temporary drop in pressure, sitting quietly and breathing deeply is highly effective before taking your prescribed long-term medication.

Google Web Story: Diet and Hypertension

UK Meds have put together a handy Google Web Story to explain the connection between what you eat and high blood pressure:

What is the best medicine for high blood pressure?

When you have been diagnosed with hypertension, it is completely natural to want the "best" medicine for high blood pressure. However, from a clinical perspective, there isn't one single miracle tablet that works perfectly for everyone. The best and most effective treatment depends entirely on your individual health profile, including your age, ethnic background, and your personal medical history.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, NHS guidelines and our own UK-registered prescribers rely on four main classes of highly effective high blood pressure tablets. Here is a clear comparison to help you understand how each type works to protect your cardiovascular health:

A quick note from our clinical team: You never have to guess which option is right for you. When you complete your free online consultation, our experienced prescribers will carefully review your details to ensure you get the safest, most effective prescription for your specific needs.

If you want to learn more about keeping your heart strong and healthy, we have put together a collection of easy-to-read guides. These helpful articles are broken down into categories to teach you more about your body and how to look after it:

Understanding & Monitoring

• Blood Pressure Readings Explained
  Learn exactly what the top and bottom numbers mean on your blood pressure monitor in this simple guide.
• How to Check Your Blood Pressure From Home
  Discover the easiest and most accurate steps to measure your own blood pressure safely from the comfort of your living room.

Causes & Health Risks

• What Causes High Blood Pressure?
  Find out what everyday habits and hidden health reasons can make your heart work harder than it needs to.
• Heart Attack, Stroke & Hypertension Awareness
  See how the government is helping people spot the early warning signs of heart problems to keep everyone safe and well.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• How Can I Reduce My Blood Pressure?
  Read our top tips on the best natural ways and healthy choices you can make to help bring your numbers down.
• The High Blood Pressure Diet
  Explore which tasty foods are brilliant for your heart and which salty snacks you should try to avoid eating too much of.

Medication & Prescriptions

• Ramipril Prescription Requirements in the UK
  Learn all about one of the most common medicines used to treat hypertension and the rules for getting it safely online.