How to reduce hypertension

Hypertension is persistently high pressure in the arteries. It often causes no noticeable symptoms, so readings and medical review matter more than how you feel on a particular day. Over time, uncontrolled pressure can strain the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, contributing to conditions such as Heart Failure, Stroke, Chronic Kidney Disease, Angina, or Transient Ischaemic Attack. These conditions are possible consequences, not assumptions about any individual reading.

Take prescribed blood pressure medicine at the agreed time and do not stop it because a reading improves. Reduce salty packaged foods, choose more vegetables and fibre-rich foods, and keep alcohol within your clinician's advice. Build regular moderate activity gradually, prioritise sleep, and avoid tobacco. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can affect blood pressure, so mention loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, or severe daytime sleepiness. Check readings when rested, with your arm supported, and record them for review rather than reacting to one isolated result.

Seek emergency help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, sudden vision change, confusion, or a severe unusual headache. These symptoms can signal an acute problem involving the heart or brain. Contact your healthcare team promptly if home readings remain higher than your agreed target, medicine causes troublesome dizziness, or you miss doses and are unsure what to do. Never double a dose without advice.

What target suits my health history? How should I measure at home? Could sleep, kidney health, weight, or another medicine affect my readings?