When to arrange an earlier review
Contact your care team if readings repeatedly exceed your agreed target, or you develop recurring dizziness or troublesome medicine effects. Bring your pressure record and medicine and supplement list. Reviewing measurement technique, treatment use, and symptoms helps your clinician decide what should happen next.
A severely high reading without symptoms
For adults who are not pregnant: if the upper number is above 180 or the lower number above 120 mmHg, without new concerning symptoms, wait at least one minute and recheck. If still severely high, contact medical care immediately. Do not wait for a routine appointment or take extra doses yourself.
Symptoms that require emergency help
Severely high pressure with chest pain, breathlessness, new weakness or numbness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking requires an immediate emergency call. Do not wait for pressure to fall. Stroke symptoms or persistent chest pain need emergency help regardless of the reading. Do not drive yourself.
During pregnancy and after birth
During pregnancy or the weeks after birth, a persistent severe headache, visual disturbance, or upper abdominal pain below the ribs needs urgent assessment. Contact your maternity team or urgent medical care immediately. Do not wait for the blood-pressure numbers described above before seeking help.