Approximately one in three adults across the UK suffer from hypertensionWayne Ankers, Charlotte Smith, Toby Codd and Amy Walker Court reporter
09:36, 29 Dec 2025
Approximately one in three adults across the UK suffer from hypertension(Image: Getty)
The NHS has issued a warning to individuals prescribed medication to control their blood pressure including Amlodipine and Ramipril. According to statistics, approximately one in three adults across the UK suffer from hypertension, more commonly referred to as high blood pressure.
The condition frequently presents no symptoms, earning it the nickname “silent killer”. However, it places strain on your heart and blood vessels, potentially resulting in heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.
Alongside embracing healthier lifestyle choices, such as cutting processed food consumption and increasing physical activity, GPs often prescribe medication to patients with elevated blood pressure.
According to Chronicle Live, Ramipril ranks amongst the most commonly prescribed treatments. Medical data indicates that this drug, which widens blood vessels, received approximately 34.8 million prescriptions last year.
Similarly, amlodipine represents another major treatment option, accounting for more than 30 million prescriptions annually. This calcium channel blocker helps to relax the arteries, reports the Express.
The NHS has provided guidance for anyone prescribed either type of blood pressure medication. They outlined how certain individuals might require adjustments to their prescribed dosage, YorkshireLive reports.
The health service’s website explains: “If you take other medicines that lower blood pressure, such as ramipril or lisinopril, at the same time as amlodipine, the combination can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much.
“When your blood pressure is low, you may experience dizziness or fainting. If this keeps happening to you, tell your doctor as your dose may need to be changed.”
The primary indicators of low blood pressure, referred to as hypotension, encompass feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, fainting spells, nausea, and fatigue. It is essential to undergo a blood pressure evaluation if these signs appear frequently.
Particular medications may impact the efficacy of amlodipine, so it’s vital to notify your doctor about what you’re currently taking. These include:.
Ramipril or lisinopril can generally be prescribed together with amlodipine as this constitutes a commonly used and established treatment combination. Nevertheless, mixing these drugs can heighten the risk of hypotension, possibly leading to dizziness or fainting.
Regarding herbal treatments and dietary supplements, the NHS states: “St John’s wort, a herbal remedy taken for depression, is thought to affect the way amlodipine works. Talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about taking St John’s wort.
“There’s not enough information to say that other herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with amlodipine. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.
“They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.”