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What to do if…
you get an unexpectedly high blood pressure reading and feel unwell

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

If you feel seriously unwell, or you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, collapse, confusion, or stroke-like symptoms, call 999 now. If there are no emergency symptoms, sit still, recheck carefully, and get urgent same-day medical advice if the reading stays very high, especially about 180/120 or higher.

Do not do these things

  • Do not keep taking readings every minute; take a small, careful set, write them down, then stop.
  • Do not take extra blood pressure tablets unless a clinician has specifically told you to.
  • Do not exercise, have a hot bath, or try to “walk it off” to force the number down.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E if you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, feel faint, feel confused, or have stroke-like symptoms.
  • Do not ignore face drooping, arm weakness, one-sided numbness or weakness, speech problems, new confusion, or sudden major vision changes, even if the number later comes down.
  • Do not rely on an online blood pressure checker if you are pregnant, newly unwell, or worried about symptoms; use urgent NHS advice instead.

What to do now

  1. Pause somewhere safer. Sit upright with your back supported and both feet flat on the floor. Rest your arm on a table. If someone is nearby, ask them to stay with you.

  2. Check for emergency symptoms. Call 999 now if you have any of these:

    • chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort that does not go away
    • pain spreading to an arm, jaw, neck, back, or stomach
    • severe difficulty breathing, gasping, choking, or not being able to speak normally
    • collapse, fainting, seizure, or new severe confusion
    • face drooping, arm weakness, one-sided numbness or weakness, trouble speaking, or trouble finding words
    • sudden severe headache with feeling very unwell, or sudden major vision loss or change

  3. If there are no emergency symptoms, recheck the reading carefully.

    • Sit quietly for about 5 minutes first.
    • Use the correct cuff size on a bare upper arm, not over clothing.
    • Keep your feet flat, back supported, arm resting on a table, and do not talk during the reading.
    • Take another reading a few minutes after the first. If it is still very high, take one more a few minutes later. Write down the readings and times.

  4. If your readings stay very high, especially about 180/120 or higher, get same-day urgent help.

    • If you are getting worse or emergency symptoms appear, call 999.
    • If you are not in immediate danger but still feel unwell or the readings remain very high, contact NHS 111, your GP urgent line, or the urgent service you are directed to the same day.

  5. If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, treat feeling unwell with a high reading as urgent.

    • Call your maternity unit or maternity assessment unit, your GP urgent line, or NHS 111 for immediate advice.
    • Call 999 if you have severe breathlessness, chest pain, collapse, seizure, stroke-like symptoms, a sudden severe headache, major vision changes, or severe pain below the ribs.

  6. Take prescribed medicines only as directed. If you missed a dose, follow the missed-dose instructions for that medicine, or ask NHS 111, your GP, or a pharmacist. Do not double up doses unless a clinician tells you to.

  7. Write down the key details before you speak to a clinician.

    • the blood pressure readings, times, and which arm you used
    • your pulse reading, if your monitor shows it
    • your symptoms and when they started
    • pregnancy or recent birth, kidney disease, previous stroke, heart problems, or diabetes
    • missed doses, new medicines, cold and flu remedies, severe pain, fever, alcohol, or recreational drugs
    • your current medicines, or a photo of the labels

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause right now.
  • You do not need to decide whether your long-term blood pressure treatment should change.
  • You do not need to keep checking all day once you have taken a careful set of repeat readings and arranged urgent help if needed.
  • You do not need to search for every possible complication before you get advice.

Important reassurance

A single frightening blood pressure reading can happen because of pain, stress, illness, movement, cuff problems, or measuring too soon after activity. The safest next step is not to panic-check repeatedly, but to look for emergency symptoms, confirm the reading carefully, and get urgent help when symptoms or very high numbers make that sensible.

Scope note

These are first steps only for an unexpectedly high blood pressure reading when you feel unwell. Later decisions about diagnosis, monitoring, tests, or medicine changes may need a clinician.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Your symptoms matter more than the exact number, so seek urgent medical help if you feel seriously unwell.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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