This chapter, written by the British Hypertension Society, aims to
present the basic facts about one of the most common disorders of Western
Society. High blood pressure is a puzzling condition for many as it only
rarely makes people feel ill. Quite reasonably, therefore, patients in
apparently good health ask why they should take tablets, probably for the
rest of their lives. We hope that the reason will become clear as you read
what follows. We also hope that you find the answers we give to the most
commonly asked questions helpful.
