In the UK around a third of all adults are thought to be living with a dangerous silent killer condition. High blood pressure is a medical condition that means that the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.
Over time this puts extra strain on the heart as well as other organs and the blood vessels and can cause damage.
Also known as hypertension, it is a factor in many serious health conditions and illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, strokes, heart failure and heart attacks.
Although it is a fairly common condition, it can often go by unnoticed and undiagnosed until it causes a serious medical emergency.
Around one in two people with hypertension don’t realise they have it or aren’t receiving treatment, according to Blood Pressure UK.
This is because it rarely displays symptoms – earning it the title of a “silent killer”.
Public Health England says: “Often described as a ‘silent killer’ because it rarely causes symptoms, high blood pressure was responsible for around 75,000 deaths in 2015, according to the Global Burden of Disease report.”
And the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explains: “High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms.
“Many people with high blood pressure feel fine. But even if you feel fine, you should still have your blood pressure checked regularly.”
But there are some warning signs that can appear if your blood pressure is particularly high.
The Cleveland Clinic says there are three such symptoms that are noticeable in the head.
These are:
These could signal a “hypertensive crisis”, and should prompt you to seek medical help, the clinic advises.
Other symptoms of a hypertensive crisis can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Vomiting.
However, the only way to be sure if your blood pressure is too high is to get it tested – either with a kit at home or by your GP.
What is considered high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers – the systolic pressure (higher number) and diastolic pressure (lower number)
According to the NHS, high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or more if your reading was taken at a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 135/85mmHg if it was taken at home).
If you’re over the age of 80, high blood pressure is considered to be from 150/90mmHg or more if your reading was taken at a pharmacy, GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home).
Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for people over the age of 80 years old is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home).
Blood pressure readings from 121/81mmHg to 139/89mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should speak to your GP.
