I wish I'd seen this earlier.

Your BP reading is high and it needs to come down. You must see your GP and get it checked properly. My high BP was discovered quite by accident when I had a routine check by the nurse at work - it was 170/120 (quite dangerously high). When I went to the doc, he loaned me a portable machine and I had to take readings several times a day so that they could monitor the pattern of highs and lows. Eventually, after trying all the 'lifestyle' methods of lowering my BP (diet, exercise etc.) I had to go on medication but it's no big deal, just one pill in the morning (very low dose). My BP is normal and steady now. Raised BP is a silent killer - there are no obvious symptoms, but it puts strain on your heart and kidneys and can result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure if left untreated.

Your employers have no right to put this pressure on you. Nobody is indispensible, everybody needs to take time out for family crises, anyone can become ill and if you are ill you have the right to be left in peace until you recover. Remarks like "this is a fine time to choose to be off" are nothing less than bullying and that is illegal.

If you need some factual (as well as moral) support, take a look at the Health & Safety Executive's pages on Workplace Stress (especially guidance for individuals and the bits about sickness absence). You have rights and your employers have responsibilities. Don't let your boss get away with this - look after yourself. However much they pay you it's not enough to risk your health.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/

Hope you've seen your GP by now and are feeling better. If you're prescribed medication for your BP, don't worry about it (as I did). My friend who is a hospital consultant explained the risks of not treating high BP and made me see sense. And my OH drummed it into me that my health was much more important than the flamin' job!