High blood pressure is often silent, yet it increases the risk of damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Chest pain with very high blood pressure
- Severe headache with visual disturbance
- Speech difficulty or limb weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion or near-fainting
What is it?
Blood pressure should not be judged from a single reading. Home measurements, 24-hour monitoring and risk factor assessment help guide treatment. The goal is not a temporary lower number, but long-term reduction of vascular risk.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Ringing in the ears
- Occasional nosebleeds
Causes & risk factors
- Family history
- Excess weight
- High salt intake
- Inactivity
- Smoking and alcohol
- Diabetes
- Kidney or hormonal causes
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should not rely on one test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination and investigation results are interpreted together.
- Repeated office measurements
- Home blood pressure diary
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- ECG
- Blood and urine tests
- Kidney function and cholesterol assessment
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to severity, overall health, accompanying conditions, procedure risk and patient priorities.
- Lifestyle changes
- Salt reduction
- Weight control
- Regular medication
- Diabetes and cholesterol control
- Evaluation for secondary causes
How we help
Hypertension is assessed as part of overall cardiovascular risk, not only as a number. ECG, echocardiography, blood tests and risk factor review are used to build an individual control plan.
When a procedure may be needed
Additional imaging or specialized evaluation may be needed when blood pressure is very high, resistant to treatment, suspected to be related to renal artery disease, or already causing cardiac complications.
Patient checklist
- Measure blood pressure at consistent times
- Do not change medication without a physician
- Keep a record of readings
- Pay attention to salt, weight and sleep
FAQ
Can I stop medication once my pressure is normal?
No. Blood pressure is often normal because the medication is working. Any change should be agreed with your physician.
Does hypertension always cause symptoms?
No. One of its most dangerous features is that it can remain silent for years.
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