High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Your blood pressure will go up and down naturally and a higher number shows that the heart is working harder to pump your blood around your body. If your blood pressure is consistently higher than it should be, then you are at an increased risk of heart disease and events such as heart attacks and strokes.
NHS - Review your blood pressure results
You can use the NHS Assessment Tool to check what your blood pressure reading means and get more information about what to do next:
Below are some useful website links to provide more information about what having a high blood pressure means, as well as recommendations of how to manage and reduce your blood pressure.
NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health & Care Integrated Care Board (ICB) - Videos
Watch short videos explaining:
Key facts about blood pressure
Guidance on how to measure your blood pressure
Advice on how to reduce your blood pressure
NICE Patient Decision Aid – Managing high blood pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, use the NICE (National Institute of Health & Care Excellence) decision aid to decide on the best course of action for you.
What are my options?
You can choose to do nothing
You can choose to make lifestyle changes before trying medicines
You can choose to take medicines to lower your blood pressure as well as trying lifestyle changes.
British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a UK based charity and the biggest funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Europe. Their website provides useful information and advice on a range of heart-related conditions. They have information specifically about high blood pressure (as well as the health conditions which can result from high blood pressure).
NHS Better Health
Making lifestyle changes can help you manage and reduce your blood pressure. Visit NHS Better Health for information about different aspects of your lifestyle, such as: healthy eating, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption or quitting smoking.
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Throughout this website are links to other websites which are not under the control of Droitwich, Ombersley & The Rurals Primary Care Network. We have no control over the nature, content and accuracy of these sites.