Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Silent, common, and one of the most modifiable cardiovascular risks there is.
Hypertension is sustained blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. It damages arteries over years without symptoms, making it a leading cause of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. Treatment combines lifestyle change with — for most people — one or two well-tolerated medications.
Causes & risk factors
- Genetics and family history
- Age (risk rises steadily after 40)
- High sodium diet and low potassium
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Kidney disease and sleep apnoea (secondary causes)
Symptoms
- Usually none — hypertension is typically silent
- Headaches at very high pressures (>180/110)
- Nosebleeds in hypertensive emergency
- Fatigue or blurred vision with end-organ damage
How it's diagnosed
- Multiple readings over weeks — one clinic reading isn't enough
- Home blood pressure log (twice daily for a week)
- 24-hour ambulatory monitoring if readings vary
- Baseline labs: kidney function, electrolytes, lipids, HbA1c
- ECG and sometimes echocardiogram to assess heart
Evidence-based treatment
- DASH diet — rich in fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains
- Sodium under 2g daily
- 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
- Weight loss of 5-10% if overweight
- ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or thiazide diuretics
- Combination therapy when single agent insufficient
Prevention
- Annual BP screening from age 18
- Home monitor if family history is strong
- Limit alcohol to <2 drinks/day men, <1 women
- Quit smoking
Related symptoms
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) — FAQ
Can hypertension be cured without medication?
Lifestyle changes alone bring stage-1 hypertension to normal in a meaningful minority of people. Most need medication too, especially at stage-2 levels or with cardiovascular risk factors.
Is online consultation good enough for BP management?
Yes for most patients. A home BP log plus periodic labs gives a Cardiologist everything they need to titrate medication and review targets.
Other conditions
This page is general information, not medical advice for any specific person. For diagnosis and treatment, book a consultation.