Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms appear. Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to disability, a poor quality of life, or even a deadly heart attack or stroke.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
Treatment and lifestyle changes can help control high blood pressure to lower the risk of life-threatening health conditions.
Damage to the arteries
Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. Their inner lining is smooth so that blood flows freely, supplying vital organs and tissues with nutrients and oxygen.
Over time, high blood pressure increases the pressure of blood flowing through the arteries. This may cause:
- Damaged and narrowed arteries. High blood pressure can damage the cells of the arteries’ inner lining. When fats from food enter the bloodstream, they can collect in the damaged arteries. In time, the artery walls become less elastic. This limits blood flow throughout the body.
- Aneurysm. Over time, the constant pressure of blood moving through a weakened artery can cause part of the artery wall to bulge. This is called an aneurysm. An aneurysm can burst open and cause life-threatening bleeding inside the body. Aneurysms can form in any artery. But they’re most common in the body’s largest artery, called the aorta.
Symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms.
A few people with high blood pressure may have:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
However, these symptoms aren’t specific. They usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
How’s your blood pressure?
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history & lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about high blood pressure.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications and experiences, and 31 languages spoken, to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.