Hypertension is one of the most common conditions affecting the heart. It refers to a constant elevation of the pressure inside the arteries, this places stress on the heart and the arteries and increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Generally speaking the serious effects of high blood pressure occur after many years of ‘poor blood pressure control’

Risk factors for high blood pressure include: being overweight, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical exercise and a poor diet.

Many people do not complain of specific symptoms. Some people experience headaches, visual changes, ‘whooshing’ in the ears or in extreme cases, chest pain or heart failure (severe breathlessness).

• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Healthy eating (Mediterranean diet), especially in order to lose weight if your BMI is >25
  • Salt restriction (less than 4g daily)
  • Limitation of alcohol intake (no more than two standard drinks a day for men and one for women, with at least 2 alcohol-free days a week)
  • At least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise daily
  • Avoidance of smoking
• Medications:
  • There are many classes of medications, but the most commonly prescribed first line medications include: ACE-inhibitors (i.e. perindopril, enalapril), angiotensin receptor blockers (i.e. candesartan, valsartan, irbesartan), calcium channel blockers (i.e. amlodipine, lercanidipine, diltiazem) and diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, indapamide)
  • The are many other medications that may be used if first line therapies are not effective, but this should be discussed with your doctor