HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE) TREATMENT IN LONDON
In short: Hypertension (high blood pressure) means your blood pressure is consistently 140/90 mmHg or higher in clinic, or averages 135/85 mmHg or higher on a 24-hour or home monitor. It affects about one in three UK adults and usually causes no symptoms, but raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease. It is treated with lifestyle changes and, for most people, medication.
Medically reviewed by Dr Georgios Karagiannis MD PhD FRCP, Consultant Cardiologist · Last reviewed:
What is hypertension?
Hypertension – more commonly called high blood pressure – happens when the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls stays too high for too long. This puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, which, if left untreated, can increase the risk of serious health problems.
It’s a common condition affecting around one in three adults in the UK, and many people don’t realise they have it because it often causes no early symptoms. But untreated high blood pressure can harm your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels over time.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and given as two numbers:
- Systolic pressure – the force when your heart beats
- Diastolic pressure – the force when your heart rests between beats
For example, a reading of 120/80mmHg means your systolic pressure is 120 and your diastolic pressure is 80.
Blood pressure readings can show:
- Normal – between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
- At risk – between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg
- High blood pressure – consistently 140/90mmHg or higher
Hypertension with a consistent reading of 140/90mmHg or above needs further investigation from a cardiologist.
With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, hypertension can be managed – reducing your risk and protecting your heart for the future.
Stages Of hypertension
Blood pressure can rise gradually over time, often without noticeable symptoms. Understanding the stages can help you know when to take action.
A reading between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg is considered normal. If your blood pressure sits in this range, no treatment is needed. However, regular monitoring is still important to check for any changes.
Clinic readings between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg are higher than ideal. You don’t have hypertension, but the risk of it developing is higher.
Lifestyle changes such as eating well, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight help keep your blood pressure from rising.
Stage 1 hypertension is diagnosed when clinic readings are 140/90 to 159/99 mmHg, confirmed by a 24-hour or home average of 135/85 to 149/94 mmHg.
At this point, your cardiologist will recommend lifestyle changes and may suggest medication, depending on your overall risk, to help reduce your blood pressure and protect your heart.
Stage 2 hypertension is diagnosed when clinic readings are 160/100 mmHg or higher, or the 24-hour or home average is 150/95 mmHg or higher. This is more serious and needs prompt treatment. Medication is usually recommended, alongside long-term lifestyle changes, to bring your blood pressure under control and reduce the risk of complications.
Severe hypertension is a systolic reading of 180 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic reading of 120 mmHg or higher, and needs urgent medical attention.
If high blood pressure is left untreated, you may be at risk of serious complications such as a stroke or heart attack – but with the right support, hypertension is manageable. Early treatment can help you live a healthier, longer life.
What causes hypertension?
High blood pressure can develop for many reasons, often with no single cause. However, certain factors are known to increase your risk. These include:
- Being overweight
- Diets that include too much salt
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Stress
- Caffeine or alcohol intake
- Taking certain medications
- Being over 65
- Being of black African or Caribbean heritage
In many cases, high blood pressure develops gradually over time and is influenced by your lifestyle. Making small but consistent changes – like improving your diet, moving more and cutting back on alcohol – can significantly reduce your risk.
Sometimes, high blood pressure is linked to another health problem such as kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues or lupus.
Your cardiologist can help work out what’s contributing to your high blood pressure and create a plan to bring it down.
Symptoms Of hypertension
High blood pressure is often called a ‘silent’ condition because many people don’t notice any symptoms at all. For this reason, it can go undetected for years unless picked up during a routine check-up.
When symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Blurry vision
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms can also overlap with other conditions, which is why regular blood pressure checks are so important, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of heart problems, a sedentary lifestyle or a diet high in salt.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure or haven’t had it checked in a while, booking a heart health assessment is a simple and effective first step.
Hypertension treatment
Managing high blood pressure starts with understanding what’s driving it. Your cardiologist will work closely with you to create a personalised treatment plan based on the stage of your hypertension, your medical history and your lifestyle.
For many people, early-stage hypertension can be controlled with simple lifestyle changes. These changes are often the first step and may include:
- Following a balanced, heart-friendly diet
- Staying active with regular, achievable exercise
- Cutting back on alcohol and stopping smoking
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation
If your blood pressure remains high or you’re already at stage 1 or 2, medication may be recommended alongside lifestyle support.
The most commonly prescribed medicines for hypertension include:
- Diuretics – help your body get rid of excess salt and water
- ACE inhibitors – help relax and widen your blood vessels
- ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) – work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors to ease pressure on your heart
Your treatment will always be tailored to your needs. With the right combination of care, support and monitoring, you can take control of your blood pressure and protect your heart.
Complications Of hypertension
If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can damage your blood vessels over time and put serious strain on your heart and other organs.
Some possible complications of untreated hypertension include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aortic aneurysm
- Heart failure
- Vision loss
- Memory issues
The longer hypertension goes unmanaged, the higher the risk. Early treatment can make all the difference in protecting your long-term health.
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Diagnosing hypertension
At Expert Cardiologist, we offer a range of tests to help assess and diagnose high blood pressure. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step towards managing your heart health effectively.
One of the most reliable ways to detect hypertension is with a 24-hour blood pressure monitor. This simple test tracks your blood pressure continuously as you go about your daily routine, giving a clear picture of how your blood pressure changes over time.
This gives your cardiologist a clear picture of your blood pressure and helps guide treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal blood pressure?
For most adults, a normal clinic reading is between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg. Readings between 120/80 and 140/90 are higher than ideal, and lifestyle changes help keep them from rising.
Does high blood pressure cause symptoms?
Usually not, which is why it is called a silent condition. Very high readings can occasionally cause headaches, blurred vision or chest pain. These need urgent medical attention.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
A high clinic reading is confirmed with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring or a week of home readings. This rules out “white coat” hypertension and gives a true average. Blood and urine tests and an ECG check for causes and any effect on the heart and kidneys.
When should I see a cardiologist about high blood pressure?
If your blood pressure stays high despite two or three medicines, you are young with high readings, you have other heart conditions, or tests suggest it is affecting your heart. A cardiologist can look for underlying causes and fine-tune treatment.
Can I lower my blood pressure without medication?
Cutting salt, losing weight, regular exercise, drinking less alcohol and stopping smoking can each lower blood pressure. For many people with stage 1 hypertension and low overall risk, that may be enough. Higher readings or higher risk usually also need medication.
Book a cardiology appointment with Dr Georgios Karagiannis
At Expert Cardiologist, we’re here to support you. Led by Dr Georgios Karagiannis, our team offers expert testing, tailored treatment and ongoing support to help you manage your blood pressure and look after your heart.
Get in touch today to book your consultation and start managing your blood pressure with confidence.
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