High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a condition in which there is too much pressure being used by the heart to pump blood around the body through the blood vessels. This highly common condition affects one in three adults in the UK, with it being more common amongst men. If high blood pressure isn't treated effectively it can possibly cause strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney disease and dementia.

Many people with high blood pressure don't always know they have it, because, like high cholesterol it rarely has any symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to be diagnosed by a doctor after they have monitored your blood pressure over a period of time.

When your physician does a blood pressure test, they measure the amount of pressure and strain that is exerted on the artery walls. If this is consistently high, a doctor may diagnose you with high blood pressure.

There are two types of blood pressure, namely primary and secondary, which are defined by the causes of the condition.

• Primary hypertension has no specific causes. However, there are many risk factors that can increase a person's chances of developing it, including hereditary reasons, an unhealthy diet consisting of foods high in salt or fat, a lack of exercise, age (above 60 in particular), stress or alcohol abuse.
• Secondary hypertension is usually a result of a health problem (e.g. lupus), medication (e.g. ibuprofen) or hormonal conditions (e.g. Cushing's syndrome).

High blood pressure (hypertension) rarely causes symptoms. Until the condition starts causing other health problems, it's not always possible to tell whether you are at risk or not as signs of the condition are difficult to detect. This is why it's important to visit your doctor for regular health checks so that they can take a few blood pressure readings and the condition can be diagnosed and treated appropriately. In very rare instances, hypertension can cause:

• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

High blood pressure, if left untreated, can increase your risk of developing heart problems, a stroke, aneurysms and blood clots, all of which can be fatal. Perfectly healthy women can develop high blood pressure during pregnancy - a condition that is known as pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to pre-eclampsia, which is an extremely serious condition that can cause a number of serious complications.

The hypertension treatment you will need may largely depend on how high your blood pressure is and how much of a risk it poses to your health. Treatment may include lifestyle changes or prescription medication. Prescription medication prescribed may include Amlodipine, Bendroflumethiazide, Lisinopril and Ramipril. These tablets work to lower blood pressure by widening the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely around the body, which means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard. The different drugs for high blood pressure can be classed as one of the following:

• Alpha-blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics

These clinically proven prescription medications, whilst highly effective, should be taken alongside lifestyle changes; including dieting, exercising, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol and salt intake. This will give you the best chance possible at effectively controlling your high blood pressure in the long run.

It is possible to successfully prevent high blood pressure (hypertension) by following the prevention tips listed below:

• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Follow guidelines for appropriate alcohol consumption
• Exercise regularly
• Lower salt intake
• Eat fruit and vegetables every day
• Check your blood pressure once per year

euroClinix offers you a safe and convenient way to order high blood pressure treatments online by simply completing a short consultation. Once your prescription is approved, it will be sent to our pharmacy where a pharmacist will dispense your treatment via secure overnight delivery courier.