Meta Description: The high prevalence of hypertension in UK requires early management of hypertension to prevent its fatal complications like renal failure or stroke. Learn how to manage hypertension according to the NHS and NICE guidelines.
Hypertension ranks among the most preventable and
manageable contributors to early mortality worldwide.
In the UK, around 6-8 million
individuals are
living with either uncontrolled or undiagnosed high blood pressure. Hypertension in UK poses a significant
health concern due to its link to stroke, heart diseases (including angina,
heart attacks, and heart failure), and kidney failure. Therefore, managing high
blood pressure as early as possible is crucial.
This post will talk about how to manage hypertension in UK and why it is
necessary to treat the condition.
According to the National Health
Sciences UK, hypertension is a persistent blood pressure of 140/90 or above when measured at a
clinic (or an average of 135/85mmHg if measured at home).
However, high
blood pressure in UK for people above 80 years is considered to be
150/90mmHg or above in clinical settings (or an average of 145/85mmHg if
measured at home).
Did you know approximately 30% of the UK
population, which is about 16 million individuals, suffers
from hypertension?
And the worst thing is at least half of
them are not even undergoing any treatment.
Managing hypertension
in UK holds significance due to its potential ramifications on health. If
not managed, it can instigate various complications, such as kidney damage,
stroke or heart problems.
The British
Heart Foundation says around 50% of heart attacks and strokes in the UK are caused by uncontrolled high
blood pressure.
According to the NHS UK, uncontrolled hypertension can
induce substantial damage to the heart by hardening the arteries, which reduces the
flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can lead to:
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stroke
Additionally, people with severely high blood
pressure, typically above 180/120, may experience symptoms such as severe
nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, confusion,
chest pain, difficulty breathing, or nosebleeds.
According to the patient
decision aid guide by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(NICE), hypertension in UK can be managed by
making lifestyle changes, taking medicines, or doing both.
- Reduce your daily salt intake.
- If you're overweight or obese, try losing some
pounds.
- Be more physically active. Go for jogging or
at least a 30-minute walk every day.
- Quit smoking and alcohol.
- Lower your caffeine intake.
- Manage
stress levels.
Although making lifestyle changes can be
challenging for you, it will prevent you from life-threatening complications of
hypertension.
Taking medications for hypertension can manage
your condition better than making some lifestyle changes only.
The following drugs are used for controlling
high blood pressure:
- Angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:
Lisinopril, Enalapril.
- Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs): Candesartan, Losartan.
The
above two groups are generally the first-line agents. According to the NICE
guidelines, both ACEIs and ARBs should not be given to pregnant and
breastfeeding women. Moreover, their simultaneous use is also avoided.
- Calcium
channel blockers:
amlodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil.
- Thiazide diuretics: Indapamide, Bendroflumethiazide
The
above two drugs are given if ACEIs and ARBs fail to treat the condition as per
NICE guidelines.
- Other
diuretics: Spironolactone, Amiloride
- Beta-blockers: Atenolol, bisoprolol
- Alpha-blockers: Oxazosin
For people with treatment-resistant
hypertension, the above drugs are usually added to their already prescribed
anti-hypertensive drugs.
SEO Tags: Hypertension in UK, High blood
pressure in UK
References