What it is
Blood pressure is written as two numbers: the pressure when the heart beats, and the pressure between beats. A single high reading does not mean you have high blood pressure. Doctors look at readings taken on several occasions, sometimes at home or over 24 hours with a small monitor.
Age, family history, weight, salt, alcohol, smoking, too little movement and some medicines can all play a part. Often there is no single cause.
Common signs
- Most people have no symptoms at all
- Very high readings can come with headaches, blurred vision or chest pain, but these are not a reliable sign
- It is often found at a routine check, a pharmacy measurement or before surgery
How it is usually diagnosed
- Repeated measurements at the clinic, at home, or with a 24-hour ambulatory monitor
- Blood tests, often including kidney function, blood sugar and cholesterol
- A urine test and an ECG (heart trace) to look for effects on the kidneys and heart
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Your home blood pressure log, with dates and times
- Results of a 24-hour monitor, if you had one
- Blood and urine test results over the years
- ECG and heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) reports
- Letters listing your medicines and every change in dose
Questions to ask your doctor
- What readings should I aim for, and how often should I measure at home?
- Which device and cuff size should I use?
- Which tests should I repeat, and how often?
- What should I do if I get a much higher reading than usual?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, or trouble speaking
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any before, or sudden loss of vision
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.