High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the “silent killer” because it usually does not cause noticeable symptoms until it reaches a dangerous level or causes serious complications. This means many people have high blood pressure without knowing it. The only reliable way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured regularly by a healthcare professional or with a home blood pressure monitor.
However, when blood pressure becomes very high or reaches a hypertensive crisis, some symptoms may appear. These symptoms can serve as warning signs that your blood pressure is dangerously elevated and that you need immediate medical attention. Common symptoms associated with high blood pressure include:
– **Headaches:** Severe, pounding headaches, especially in the morning or at the back of the head, can be linked to very high blood pressure. These headaches are often stronger than typical tension headaches.
– **Dizziness or Lightheadedness:** Feeling dizzy or lightheaded may occur because high blood pressure strains blood vessels and affects blood flow to the brain, which can also increase the risk of falls.
– **Shortness of Breath:** High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, which can lead to difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or when lying down.
– **Chest Pain or Tightness:** Chest discomfort or pain is a serious symptom that may indicate heart damage or a heart attack caused by high blood pressure.
– **Blurred or Double Vision:** Damage to the tiny blood vessels in the eyes from high blood pressure can cause vision problems, including blurred or double vision, and in severe cases, sudden vision loss.
– **Nosebleeds:** Some people with high blood pressure experience frequent or unexplained nosebleeds.
– **Fatigue:** Feeling unusually tired or weak can be a sign that high blood pressure is affecting your heart or other organs.
– **Other Severe Symptoms:** In emergencies, symptoms such as difficulty speaking or understanding speech, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe headaches, or severe abdominal or back pain may indicate a stroke or other life-threatening complications related to very high blood pressure.
Despite these possible symptoms, many people with high blood pressure feel completely normal, which is why regular blood pressure checks are crucial. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (pressure when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (pressure when the heart rests between beats). A normal reading is around 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is generally defined as readings consistently above 130/80 mmHg.
If your blood pressure reaches 180/120 mmHg or higher, especially if accompanied by any of the severe symptoms mentioned above, it is considered a hypertensive crisis and requires immediate emergency care.
Because high blood pressure can quietly damage your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes over time, it is important to monitor it regularly, even if you feel fine. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and managing stress can help control blood pressure. In some cases, medication prescribed by a doctor is necessary to keep blood pressure within a safe range.
In summary, you often cannot tell if you have high blood pressure just by how you feel. The best way to know is to get your blood pressure checked regularly. Watch for the rare but serious symptoms like severe headaches, chest pain, vision changes, or shortness of breath, and seek immediate medical help if they occur.
