High Blood Pressure: The "Silent Killer" You Can Monitor from Home
High blood pressure (Hypertension) is dangerous for one reason: it has no symptoms.
You can walk around with a BP of 180/110 (stroke territory) and feel absolutely fine. Until you don't.
It is the single biggest risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. The NHS offers checks over 40, but if you are stressed, overweight, or have a family history, you shouldn't wait for an invite letter.
The "White Coat" Effect
Going to a doctor to get your BP checked is flawed. The stress of the appointment (traffic, waiting room, rushing) raises your blood pressure. This is called "White Coat Hypertension." It leads to false positives and unnecessary medication.
The gold standard is Home Monitoring.
You buy a £20 machine (Omron is a good brand). You take readings in your kitchen, relaxed, with a cup of tea. This data is far more accurate than a one-off reading in a surgery.
Interpreting the Numbers
Having the data is one thing; understanding it is another.
120/80: Perfect.
135/85: Pre-hypertension. Time to act.
140/90: Stage 1 Hypertension. Medication might be needed.
A private GP can review your home readings via email or video. We look at the average, not just the peaks.
Taking Control
If your numbers are high, we can start treatment immediately. Modern BP medication (like ACE inhibitors or Calcium Channel Blockers) is effective and usually has minimal side effects.
Managing your BP is the single most impactful thing you can do for your longevity. It buys you years of life.