About 3 in 10 adults in the UK have high blood pressure. It’s much more common in older people – 7 out of 10 people over 75 have high blood pressure. Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms. If you have very high blood pressure, or your blood pressure rises quickly, you may have headaches, problems with your vision, fits or blackouts.
If you have high blood pressure, you have an increased risk of major illnesses including cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease such as stroke, kidney damage and damaged sight.
If you’re pregnant your blood pressure is monitored regularly, whether you have hypertension or not. Long-term high blood pressure may be picked up at an antenatal appointment. It’s also possible that you may develop high blood pressure during your pregnancy (gestational hypertension). High blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy can mean you have pre-eclampsia, which can be harmful for you and your baby.
If you have high blood pressure and think you may be, or are trying to become pregnant, it’s important that you tell your GP. Certain medicines for treating high blood pressure aren’t suitable for pregnant women.
If you’re of African-Caribbean origin, you’re at a higher risk of hypertension and you should visit your GP for regular monitoring.
You should also be monitored regularly if you’re of South Asian origin because you have a higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
For any more information on hypertension, its causes, diagnosis or treatment, please do not hesitate to get in touch via our appointments page.
