Understanding hypertension

The community pharmacy team has an important role to play in reducing the impact of the consequences of high blood pressure. 

Better identification and management of hypertension will help to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with community pharmacy teams ideally placed to help identify people with undiagnosed hypertension through blood pressure checking and the provision of advanced services (from October 2021 in England).

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as two numbers. The top number is the systolic blood pressure – the highest pressure in blood vessels, which happens when the heart contracts. The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure – the lowest pressure in blood vessels in between heartbeats, when the heart muscle relaxes.

The normal or ideal adult blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) definitions of the stages of blood pressure are given in the table below.

In most people, high blood pressure does not cause any symptoms, but continued raised blood pressure increases the risk of several important health outcomes, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and cognitive decline. Early detection and management through lifestyle interventions and medication where necessary can be very effective in reducing the adverse outcomes associated with uncontrolled blood pressure.