High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, which is why it is measured. A reading is two numbers: the upper (systolic) when the heart beats, the lower (diastolic) between beats. For most adults the aim is below 140/90.

Every day: less salt, more vegetables and fruit, thirty minutes of walking, no smoking, and your tablets at the same time each day even when you feel well.

Measure at home in the morning before your tablets, seated, after five quiet minutes, and send the readings through the portal so your doctor sees the pattern, not one number.

Call the clinic if your reading is above 180/110, or if you have a severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness or weakness on one side - for those, call 997.