10 Warning Signs of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Introduction

If you have high blood pressure, you may not notice any symptoms until it’s too late. High blood pressure is a serious medical condition that can lead to stroke and heart disease if left untreated. While there are many effective treatments available for hypertension, controlling your blood pressure requires continuous monitoring and regular physician visits. Here are 10 warning signs of high blood pressure that’ll help you identify this silent killer before it’s too late:

Headaches

Headaches are a common symptom of high blood pressure. They can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, smoking or other factors.

Headaches are also a sign of other conditions including migraines and sinus infections. If you experience headaches with other symptoms—such as blurry vision, dizziness or nausea—that don’t go away after taking painkillers or trying to get more sleep at night then you should see a doctor right away.

Nosebleeds

A nosebleed is a sign of high blood pressure.

It could be a symptom of hypertension if you have other symptoms that are associated with the condition.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of high blood pressure. If you have shortness of breath, it means that your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood to meet its needs.

You may experience shortness of breath when you are active or at rest, but not during sleep. You may also feel like you need to breathe through your mouth because air doesn’t seem to be passing through your nose as well as it should be. These symptoms can occur even if you’re sitting still in an upright position.

Chest Pain

Chest pain can be a sign of heart attack, acid reflux, or pulmonary embolism.

If you experience chest discomfort that persists for more than 30 minutes and is accompanied by:

  • pressure, burning or tightness in the center of your chest
  • pain spreading to other areas of your body (like arms, back or neck)
  • lightheadedness or fainting

It’s important to seek medical attention right away because it could be a sign of a heart attack.

Irregular Heartbeat

An irregular heartbeat is a type of arrhythmia. This means that the heart is beating too fast, or too slowly, or in an abnormal rhythm. Irregular heartbeats can be caused by many things, including:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Dehydration
  • Medications (like blood pressure medication)

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of hypertension. But it’s also a symptom of many other conditions. Fatigue can be caused by lack of sleep, stress or anxiety, depression, and many other health issues. If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue that is keeping you from living your life in the way you want to live it, talk with your doctor about it.

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is a common side effect of hypertension (high blood pressure). It can also be a symptom of other health conditions, including diabetes and glaucoma. If you notice that your vision is blurry or fuzzy, it’s best to see a doctor right away. Hypertension is serious and if left untreated can lead to several complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

Difficulty Sleeping or Sleeping Too Much

  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • High blood pressure can cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea. If you find that you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, it may be time to talk with your doctor about the possibility of high blood pressure and what treatment options are available.
  • Other sleep disorders that can cause problems with sleeping include restless leg syndrome (RLS), narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). RLS is a condition where your legs feel an urge to move while you’re asleep; PLMD causes repetitive jerking movements in the limbs during sleep. Narcolepsy is characterized by sudden attacks of daytime drowsiness that may lead to falling asleep during activities like eating dinner at a restaurant or watching TV at home.

Pounding in the Neck, Chest, Ears and Head

The following are some warning signs of hypertension:

  • Pounding in the neck, chest or ears. This can be a sign of severe hypertension, which can result in a stroke or even death. If you have this symptom, you should immediately contact your doctor.
  • Shortness of breath and fatigue. These symptoms could be caused by anemia (a condition where there isn’t enough red blood cells), but they could also indicate that you have high blood pressure.

Dizziness and Nausea

Dizziness and nausea are common symptoms of high blood pressure. Dizziness can be a sign of high blood pressure, but it can also be caused by underlying conditions such as anemia or injury to the brain or spinal cord. Nausea is not usually associated with hypertension, though it is possible that nausea could be caused by other conditions such as hypothyroidism or pregnancy. In any case, if you experience these signs regularly, you should talk to your doctor about them so they can help identify the underlying cause and treat it appropriately.

High blood pressure is especially dangerous because it has no symptoms. If you have any cardiovascular disease risk factors, get checked regularly.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and heart disease. If you have any cardiovascular disease risk factors, do not ignore them. Make sure to get checked regularly for hypertension.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, it can be treated and managed with medication. It is easy to detect and treat; however, if you do not get tested regularly then it will go undetected until it becomes very serious.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you should be more aware of the symptoms of high blood pressure. Hopefully it will motivate you to get your blood pressure checked regularly and manage any conditions that could lead to complications in the future.

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