Health Aid UK: May 2025

It is estimated that ¼ of adults in the UK have hypertension, a condition that can negatively impact health—but fortunately, it is manageable with the right care. In this blog, we will discuss the causes of hypertension, diagnosis, and how to manage. Continue reading to learn more!

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where blood flows through the arteries at a higher-than-normal pressure. Hypertension typically does not present itself symptomatically, however in some instances it may cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision and chest pain. More worryingly, having high blood pressure over time can pose serious health risks as it can lead to development of heart disease, heart attacks, stokes, kidney disease, and vascular dementia. It is therefore important to lower blood pressure to reduce the risk of any long-term health risks.

Main Causes of Hypertension

Some people are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure due to genetic factors and family history. Smoking, obesity and overweight, alcohol consumption, stress and lack of exercise are factors that can also increase the risk. More importantly, high intakes of salt and low intakes of potassium can directly cause high blood pressure as sodium and potassium work together in maintaining normal blood volume, blood vessel function, and kidney function, and an imbalance in sodium or potassium can therefore lead to changes in blood pressure. In some cases, high blood pressure can also be a result of a health condition, for instance kidney disease, diabetes, sleep apnoea, or medications such as oral contraceptives.

How is Hypertension Diagnosed?

Hypertension can be diagnosed with a blood pressure test, which can be taken by your GP or at a pharmacy by inflating a band around your arm to measure the pressure in your blood vessels. If your reading shows high blood pressure, you may be asked to use a blood pressure monitor at home or to come back for a later test to confirm if you do have hypertension.

A normal blood pressure reading should be less than 120/80mm Hg, whereas a reading above 140/90 mm Hg is considered high.

If diagnosed with high blood pressure, your GP may prescribe blood pressure lowering medications, and you will have to make some lifestyle changes to maintain healthy blood pressure levels long term.

Supplements That Reduce Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can pose a serious risk on our health, and it is important to make the necessary lifestyle changes to lower it. However, in addition to making the appropriate lifestyle choices, there are also certain supplements can help with hypertension relief:

One of the best supplements for heart health is Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which has been found to lower blood pressure by reducing inflammation, lowering heart rate and promoting vasodilation.

CoQ10 is a compound that helps generate energy in cells and is often used as a supplement to support heart health. Research has shown that CoQ-10 supplements can significantly reduce blood pressure by improving circulation.
Beetroot supplements can help reduce blood pressure, thanks to their natural nitrate content - nitrate is converted to nitric oxide in the body, which dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow.

The essential amino acid L-Arginine has also been found to reduce blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide production.

Garlic supplements are a popular option to support heart health. Garlic naturally contains active compounds such as allicin and has been found effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.

Green tea consumption has been found to be beneficial for heart health, and studies have shown that Green Tea Extract is an effective supplement to help lower blood pressure – this is thought to be due to the antioxidant catechin.

Because of the importance of Potassium in regulating blood pressure, Potassium supplements may help improve blood pressure by improving the sodium to potassium ratio.

High cholesterol can also contribute to the development of hypertension, and cholesterol-lowering supplements such as Psyllium Husk and Red Yeast Rice may help improve overall heart health by preventing plaque buildup in arteries, which helps increase blood flow, potentially lowering blood pressure.

Tips to Manage Hypertension

Although supplements can help, certain lifestyle changes are also necessary to maintain healthy blood pressure or to lower high blood pressure. Following a healthy diet that is low in added salt and that provides dietary potassium from foods such as bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, beans and potatoes, as well as participating in regular exercise, losing weight if you are overweight, quitting smoking, reducing stress and getting good quality sleep can also help reduce hypertension risk.

Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.