High blood pressure

Buy high blood pressure medication online UK

If you have already been prescribed a high blood pressure medication, such as Ramipril or Amlodipine, you can buy blood pressure medicine online from our UK-regulated pharmacy.

When you order high blood pressure pills through our online service, we will require you to answer some questions about your general health and condition through an online medical form. This is to ensure that our prescribers can safely prescribe your treatment. All orders are subject to the doctor's approval.

If our doctor approves your order before 3 pm, Monday to Friday, our UK-based pharmacy will dispense and dispatch your item in discreet packaging straight to your door via a next-day courier service.

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What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure - or hypertension - is when your blood is pumped around your body with more force than needed, putting additional strain on your blood vessels and your heart. In most cases, there are no discernible symptoms which would indicate high blood pressure. The only way of knowing if you have the condition is to get your blood pressure checked by your doctor.

According to NHS Digital, high blood pressure (hypertension) has a prevalence of 14% of England's population between 2019 and 2020. It is estimated that 1 in 4 adults in England have hypertension, which is believed to be on the rise.

Various contributing factors could increase your risk of high blood pressure, including lifestyle habits and underlying health conditions.

Such risk factors include:

• A family history of hypertension
• Age
• Being overweight
• Consuming high amounts of alcohol
• Consuming high amounts of salt
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Long-term sleep deprivation
• Lupus
• Not exercising
• Sleep apnoea
• Smoking
• Underactive thyroid

Some medicines may also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, including:

• Antidepressants (such as Venlafaxine)
• Contraceptive pills
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Some cough, colds and flu medicines
• Steroids

If you are unsure whether you are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, you should speak to your doctor.

By knowing if you are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure early on, you can make appropriate adjustments to your lifestyle to mitigate your risk.

Your doctor will monitor your condition over time to ensure your blood pressure is controlled. They may request you to regularly check your blood pressure at home using a home blood pressure meter.

How can I prevent high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be prevented by living an active and healthy lifestyle.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and reducing your salt consumption can greatly reduce your risk. The NHS recommends eating less than 6g of salt daily, which is about the same as a teaspoon. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat can effectively reduce your risk.

On top of a balanced diet, it's important to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day. Keeping active can help to lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. Exercise can also help you to lose weight, which will also have an effect on your blood pressure.

Other lifestyle changes include cutting down on alcohol and caffeine. Not only do these two substances - alcohol and caffeine - affect blood pressure, they are often found in beverages high in sugar, contain little nutritional value, or are combined with other excipients that may affect your blood pressure.

We encourage you to speak to your doctor or a nutritionist before drastically adjusting your diet.

If you suffer from an underlying medical condition which might put you at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, you should discuss treatments with your doctor. It is possible that treating and managing an underlying health condition can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.

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How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

It is unlikely that you will be able to determine whether your blood pressure is too high through symptoms alone.

The best way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to get tested. You can get your blood pressure tested at your GP surgery by your doctor, at some pharmacies, at an NHS Health Check (available for adults aged 40 - 74 in England) or at home using a home blood pressure check.

What happens in a blood pressure test?

During a blood pressure check, a cuff or band is fixed to the upper arm. Your arm will usually be placed on a table beside you purely for support. You may be instructed not to talk or react to the machine. It's important to remain relaxed during your blood pressure test. If you are stressed or anxious, the result of your blood pressure test may not be accurate.

Once you are relaxed, the test will proceed. The cuff will begin to inflate, restricting the blood flow through your arm. This will feel like a tight squeezing sensation. You may feel tingling or slight discomfort, but this will only last for a few seconds. After a couple of seconds, the cuff will slowly deflate and loosen, and a measurement will be given in the form of millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

What does the blood pressure reading mean?

The measurement is usually read like a fraction (such as ninety over sixty). The larger number is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The lower number is the resistance your arteries provide against the blood flow.

A normal blood pressure reading is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

A blood pressure reading of 140/90mmHg or higher is considered to be high.

This means that your heart is exerting more effort to pump blood around your body and that your arteries are offering greater resistance to the flow of blood. The increased friction of blood against your arteries can cause damage to the delicate arterial tissue. This can lead to hardening of the arteries, known as arteriosclerosis.

Where can I get my blood pressure checked?

Getting your blood pressure checked isn't particularly challenging. If you attend regular check-ups with your doctor, it is likely they will test your blood pressure while you are there. You can, of course, ask your doctor to check your blood pressure while you are at an appointment.

Some pharmacies can also check your blood pressure. If you are unsure, just ask at the counter. While they may not be able to conduct a blood pressure test on the premises, they may offer home blood pressure monitoring devices.

Testing your blood pressure at home

If you have been told by your doctor that your blood pressure needs to be regularly monitored, your doctor may recommend using a home blood pressure monitoring device.

These devices are relatively simple to use and can provide accurate results in a few seconds. They consist of a cuff or band, which goes around your biceps at the top of the arm, attached to a box with a digital display. They are inexpensive and can be bought for as little as £10 from pharmacies and even some supermarkets. If you are unsure which blood pressure monitor is suitable for you, ask your doctor or a pharmacist. The BHF has further information on what to look for when buying blood pressure monitors.

Once you get a reading of your blood pressure, it's important to make a note of it so that you can track how your blood pressure changes over time. Your doctor may provide you with a specific diary to fill in. If you already keep a diary, such as a food diary to track your meals or a diabetic diary to track your blood sugar levels, you can use that to record your blood pressure.

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Treating high blood pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will discuss with you the most suitable course of treatment, which may include a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. NICE has a useful PDF which can help you understand the discussion you need to have with your doctor about high blood pressure. You can download the NICE guide here.

A common treatment for high blood pressure is a class of drugs called an ACE inhibitor. When taken, these medicines widen your blood vessels, reducing the resistance of your blood vessels and allowing your blood to travel more efficiently around your body. These medicines are usually offered to people under the age of 55.

If you are over 55 or of African or Caribbean descent, your doctor may prescribe a class of drug called a calcium channel blocker (CCBs). These drugs block calcium from permeating the blood vessel walls. When absorbed by the muscular tissue of blood vessels, calcium causes blood vessels to contract - this action increases blood pressure.

It's important to always follow your doctor's advice and take medicine as prescribed. Take notice of your lifestyle and make sensible, informed decisions about your diet and physical activity. If you are unsure about how much exercise you should be doing or how much you should be eating, speak to your doctor.

Before you buy high blood pressure medicine online, it's vital that you discuss your condition with your doctor. They will be able to ascertain the most appropriate course of treatment for you based on your medical history and condition.

During your course of treatment, you may be required to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This is to ensure that the medicine is working effectively and indicate whether adjustments may need to be required during your course of treatment.

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