Having high blood pressure can put extra strain on your blood vessels, heart, brain, kidneys and eyes
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Your blood pressure is recorded with two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.
High blood pressure is a reading of 140/90mmHg or higher.
Blood pressure readings between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg are considered ideal although everyone’s ‘ideal’ blood pressure result will be slightly different.
Measuring blood pressure can be hard to do properly. Many patients have artificially high pressure if measured inaccurately.
In most people, high blood pressure doesn't cause any symptoms, so you may not know that you have it. The only way to know for certain is to have your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional.
Symptoms that high blood pressure can cause include:
Whilst the causes of high blood pressure are not always clear, there are certain things that can increase your risk, including if you:
You can read more about the causes and symptoms of high blood pressure.
To investigate the causes of your high blood pressure, we can carry out the following tests:
Preventing high blood pressure involves adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, which can include the following habits:
maintaining a healthy weight – even modest weight loss can lower blood pressure
engaging in regular physical activity – try brisk walking, cycling, or swimming
eating a balanced diet – try to incorporate a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, while limiting salt and saturated fats
limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking
managing stress and getting enough sleep each night – relaxation techniques can help
Having high blood pressure puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and the brain, kidneys and eyes.
If high blood pressure persists, it can increase your risk of a number of serious and life-threatening health conditions including:
Blood pressure needs treatment if it is too high, to reduce the risk of stroke or heart failure.
At Welbeck, our cardiologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
It’s rare to experience symptoms with high blood pressure, but it can cause headaches as well as other symptoms like blurred vision and chest pain.
Feelings of dizziness are not usually associated with high blood pressure. If you’re experiencing dizziness frequently or persistently, make an appointment to see a doctor for a checkup to exclude other reasons (such as fluctuating blood pressures, both high and low, or other reasons such as vestibular (inner ear) issues)
If your blood pressure is consistently high, your heart and blood vessels have to work harder to circulate blood. This could result in a reduction in oxygen levels and nutrient delivery to tissues, which can lead to tiredness. Tiredness is also a side effect of some medications used to treat high blood pressure.
Coffee and other caffeinated drinks can raise blood pressure (and alertness) in the short term, but aren’t thought to have any long-term impact.
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What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
What causes high blood pressure?
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
Blood tests, ECG, echocardiogram
Preventing high blood pressure
Risks of high blood pressure
Treatment
Lifestyle changes, treating possible causes, med...
Why choose Welbeck?
Book your private consultation
FAQs
Our Heart Health specialists at OneWelbeck in London are leaders in their field. They are equipped with the latest diagnostic medical technology at custom-built, day-case facilities to investigate any symptoms and ensure you receive the best available care.