Approximately one in three people across the UK suffers from high blood pressure (hypertension), with more than five million people in England remaining undiagnosed. When blood pressure levels become elevated, both arteries and the heart experience additional stress, potentially resulting in strokes, heart attacks, and various other medical complications.

In the UK, nearly one in three individuals is affected by high blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension. Alarmingly, over five million people in England remain undiagnosed. Elevated blood pressure places additional strain on the heart and arteries, potentially leading to severe health issues such as strokes and heart attacks.

Many people with hypertension overlook its impact on travel insurance, which can be crucial for accessing emergency medical care abroad. Therefore, it’s vital to disclose this condition when purchasing travel insurance to protect against potentially hefty medical bills.

Grant Winter, a compliance officer at the specialist travel insurance firm goodtogo, emphasizes the importance of disclosure. He, along with Dr. Kathryn Basford from Asda Online Doctor, advises travelers with hypertension to remain vigilant. They describe high blood pressure as a “silent condition,” often going unnoticed by those affected.

“High blood pressure is widespread, yet it typically presents no symptoms, so many remain unaware of their condition,” explains Dr. Basford. “In the UK, roughly a third of the population has high blood pressure without realizing it. The risk increases with age and is higher if you have a family history, poor diet, obesity, smoking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, or prolonged stress.”

While high blood pressure isn’t a condition that will stop you from travelling, it does influence how you ought to prepare for your getaway, particularly when arranging travel insurance.

How can high blood pressure affect your travel plans?

Grant said: “High blood pressure is considered a pre-existing medical condition, so if you are aware of it, or have been treated for it in the past, it is important that you declare the condition when buying travel insurance. This will ensure that you are protected against the risks of large medical bills, should you need treatment while you are abroad.

While hypertension doesn’t necessarily impede travel, it does affect how you should prepare, especially concerning travel insurance arrangements.

“Many people fall under the false impression of thinking that if they are taking tablets to control their high blood pressure, they don’t need to declare it. However, this is absolutely not the case, and failing to declare high blood pressure can invalidate your insurance policy. If you were to experience a medical emergency while on holiday, like a heart attack or stroke, and you failed to declare your high blood pressure medication when purchasing travel insurance, you could face medical bills amounting to many thousands of pounds.

“The good news is that declaring high blood pressure doesn’t necessarily mean that the price of your travel insurance will increase. If the condition is well-managed with medication, insurers often offer specialised policies that cover related risks without significant cost increases.”

What about your medication?

Grant said: “Make sure that you have enough medication to last the duration of your trip. It’s also worth bringing a copy of your prescription with you, in case you lose your medication and need to get some more from a chemist or doctor while abroad.

“If you are travelling to a different time zone, try to adjust the time you take your tablets accordingly to make sure you are not taking more than one dose within 24 hours.”

Knowing the risks of a long-haul flight Dr Basford stated: “Flying with high blood pressure is generally safe, but long flights can increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). There are several precautions you can take against this, like staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and staying mobile throughout the flight. Consult your doctor before flying to make sure you are taking the right precautions and your treatment is as effective as it can be.”