Medical expert Dr Martin Bell delivers some top tips for coping with hypertension.

• If you have a home testing kit, measure your blood pressure weekly and try to choose different times and circumstances – relaxing in front of the TV, rushing to get the kids' breakfast ready, after a session at the gym etc. This will help you and your GP build a more accurate picture of your blood pressure over time.
• While there is no cure for hypertension, lifestyle changes can sometimes postpone the need for medication. These include taking regular exercise, keeping weight down to your optimum level, eating healthily, reducing salt intake to 6g a day or less, and, if possible, reducing stress levels.
• If you're worried about the side effects of any hypertension medication you've been prescribed, discuss your concerns with your GP. But remember the possible side effects of not having your high blood pressure treated, which include heart attack, stroke or even death.
• If you're taking hypertension medications, tell your pharmacist about them before you buy any over-the-counter remedies – for a cough or cold, for example. He or she can then advise you on which remedies to avoid and which are safe.