Echocardiogram

A type of ultrasound scan which uses sound waves to produce an image of your heart. It is used to check that your heart is working properly. It can also show whether or not your heart has enlarged, which may be due to high blood pressure.

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Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. It is used to detect any enlargement of your heart, which may be caused by high blood pressure. It can also show other problems with the beating of your heart.

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Erectile dysfunction

This is also known as impotence. Some men with high blood pressure, or who are taking certain blood pressure medicines, can have problems with erectile dysfunction.

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Essential hypertension

A medical term used to describe high blood pressure with no single identifiable cause. Most people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension.

See our information on what is high blood pressure?

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Folate

This also known as folic acid. It is a nutrient found in some foods. There is evidence that suggests that folate may help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. This is particularly the case for young women.

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Haemorrhage

High blood pressure can put a strain on the small blood vessels at the back of your eye and in your brain. If it is not treated, it can cause a blood vessel to burst, known as a haemorrhage, causing either eye problems or a stroke.

See our information on your arteries and high blood pressure

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Heart attack

Also known as a myocardial infarction or MI. It occurs when an artery that supplies blood to your heart’s muscles becomes blocked. Part of the heart muscle becomes starved of the oxygen and energy it needs and dies. Most people experience a heart attack as a pain in the chest and breathlessness, but some mild heart attacks produce no symptoms at all.

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Heart failure

Heart failure is when the heart is unable to work as well it as used to (for example due to a dead area of tissue from a heart attack or an abnormal enlargement of the heart).

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Hypertension

The medical name for high blood pressure.

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Hypotension

The medical name for low blood pressure.

See our information on low blood pressure

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