High Blood Pressure – The Silent Risk Factor
High blood pressure is often described as a "silent danger." And for good reason: many people have no symptoms for a long time and feel completely healthy. Even so, persistently high blood pressure can put strain on the body and, over the years, contribute to damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels.
Why is high blood pressure so dangerous?
Our blood pressure is not always the same. It changes, for example, during physical activity, stress or excitement, and is normally lower during sleep.
It becomes a concern when blood pressure is persistently or repeatedly elevated. The tricky part is that high blood pressure often causes no noticeable symptoms at first. That is why it is important to know your blood pressure and have it checked regularly.
How common is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is one of the most common health conditions in England. Around 30% of adults aged 16 and over have hypertension – that's approximately 3 in 10 adults.
Around 12.5 million people in England are living with hypertension. The prevalence increases significantly with age. And many people do not know that they have high blood pressure.
Which blood pressure readings are considered normal?
Individual blood pressure targets may vary depending on age, existing medical conditions and individual cardiovascular risk. Your personal target should therefore be discussed with your doctor or healthcare team.
below 120/80 mmHg optimal
from 130/85 mmHg high-normal
from 140/90 mmHg high blood pressure (hypertension)
from 160/100 mmHg Grade 2 hypertension
from 180/110 mmHg Grade 2 hypertension
Classification is based on whichever of the two readings is higher. However, a single reading is usually not enough to diagnose high blood pressure. Repeated measurements, home blood pressure monitoring or 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can help with the assessment.
What symptoms can high blood pressure cause?
Many people have no symptoms at all. Possible, non-specific symptoms may include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- ringing in the ears
- palpitations
- shortness of breath
- occasional nosebleeds
These symptoms can also have many other causes. Having no symptoms does not mean that blood pressure is within a healthy range.
What are the possible consequences of persistently high blood pressure?
Poorly controlled high blood pressure over a prolonged period can increase the risk of various health problems, including:
❤️ heart attack
🧠 stroke
🫀 heart failure
🩺 kidney damage, potentially leading to kidney failure
👁️ damage to the retina
🩸 damage to blood vessels
Particularly important in vascular diseases
Well-controlled blood pressure is particularly important for people with disease of the aorta or other blood vessels. Permanently high blood pressure leads to greater stress on the vessel wall and can be a risk factor for aneurysms and aortic dissections. Which blood pressure is optimal for you personally should be determined by your doctor.
Know your numbers
A home blood pressure monitor cannot replace a medical diagnosis. However, it can help detect changes early and provide useful information that you can discuss with your doctor or healthcare team. Know your numbers. And talk to your healthcare professional if your readings are repeatedly too high.
Our note
We are a patient support group and do not provide medical advice or consultations. The information on this page is intended for general information and orientation only and does not replace individual medical advice.
Sources: German Hypertension League (Deutsche Hochdruckliga): Information on high blood pressure and current guidelines
German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung): Information on high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
Robert Koch Institute: Information on the prevalence of high blood pressure in Germany
This text was created by AD-Selbsthilfe. Reproduction, publication or use of this content, in whole or in part, requires prior permission from AD-Selbsthilfe.