What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common long‑term condition in which the force of blood pushing against your artery walls remains higher than the healthy range. A normal blood pressure reading is around 120/80 mmHg.

You may be diagnosed with hypertension if your readings consistently reach 140/90 mmHg or above.

• Systolic pressure (top number) measures the pressure when your heart beats.
• Diastolic pressure (bottom number) measures the pressure when your heart relaxes

How hypertension is classified

Based on different readings, hypertension can be classified as:

• Mild or prehypertension: between 130/85 to 139/89 mmHg
• Stage 1 hypertension: between 140/90 to 159/99 mmHg
• Stage 2 hypertension: between 160/100 to 179/109 mmHg
• Stage 3 hypertension: 180/110 mmHg or higher

What’s the outlook for hypertension?

Hypertension is a condition that requires careful monitoring because, if left untreated, it can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. In severe cases, it can contribute to premature death.

Many people are unaware they have high blood pressure, which is why regular monitoring is an important part of maintaining long‑term health.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension is often called a “silent” condition because most people do not experience symptoms—even when blood pressure is very high.

When symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness or a spinning sensation
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Vision problems
• Nosebleeds
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions, so routine blood pressure checks are essential.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Hypertension can be identified through simple and widely available tests, which may include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Stress or exercise ECG
• 24‑hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

During a standard blood pressure check, an inflatable cuff is placed around your arm to measure your systolic and diastolic pressures. Readings are often taken in both arms to compare results.

For adults over 50, the systolic number becomes especially important. A condition called isolated systolic hypertension, where only the top number is raised, is more common in older adults.

A diagnosis is usually made after several high readings on different occasions, as blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day. Your doctor may also explore whether another condition is contributing to your high blood pressure.

What causes hypertension?

Hypertension often develops gradually and can be influenced by several factors, including:

• Age
• Family history
• A diet high in salt or unhealthy fats
• Smoking
• Excess weight
• Lack of physical activity
• Alcohol consumption
• Stress

Certain medications and medical conditions—such as kidney disease or complications of diabetes—can also cause high blood pressure. In these cases, blood pressure may rise more quickly and be more difficult to control

How is hypertension treated?

Treatment for hypertension often includes medications such as:

• Antihypertensive agents
• Diuretics
• Alpha‑blockers
• Beta‑blockers
• Sympatholytic drugs

Sometimes a combination of medications is used to achieve the best results.

If blood pressure remains high despite taking at least three different types of medication, this may be described as resistant hypertension, and your doctor may look for underlying causes.

Medication is usually paired with lifestyle measures such as maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, managing weight, reducing alcohol intake, and stopping smoking. These general measures can support overall cardiovascular health.

Which doctor should I talk to?

If you have hypertension, a cardiologist is typically the specialist who manages your care. Depending on your overall health, you may also be referred to an internal medicine specialist, a nephrologist (kidney specialist), or a neurologist.

For general information, you can also visit the NHS page on high blood pressure.