ABSTRACT

Hypertension – that is, raised blood pressure – affects up to a third of adults in England. It is asymptomatic in the majority of cases but predisposes to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD). It is also a risk factor in some renal disease and may accelerate cognitive decline. Both the treatment of hypertension and its sequelae are associated with significant costs to the NHS: stroke and CHD alone consume almost 9% of the total budget.