High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects over a hundred million adults nationwide. Although common, this condition shouldn’t be brushed aside. Blood pressure that is consistently above 130 mmHg wreaks havoc on your heart and puts you at risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and coronary artery disease.
High blood pressure doesn’t always have noticeable symptoms, so patients often live unaware of their condition for years. However, the following signs are good reasons to measure your blood pressure and call your doctor if the numbers are too high.
Headaches
Headaches can have numerous causes, but if you suddenly experience intense pain, your blood pressure may be to blame. If a sharp headache accompanies hypertension, seek medical attention.
Anxiety
Scientists have already proved that mental disorders immensely affect our physical health. The relationship between anxiety and blood pressure is a good example of this phenomenon. While it won’t directly cause long-term hypertension, anxiety can very well lead to spikes in blood pressure. Frequent spikes can damage your cardiovascular system, just like chronic hypertension.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is a serious hypertension symptom that mustn’t be ignored. High blood pressure in the arteries connecting to the lungs, referred to as pulmonary hypertension can directly damage your heart. If you experience shortness of breath and your blood pressure reading is high, visit a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Nosebleed
The relationship between blood pressure and nosebleeds (epistaxis) is still under-researched. However, some evidence suggests that those with high blood pressure are more prone to nosebleeds. If you frequently find yourself reaching for tissues, check your blood pressure.
Nausea
If you’re suddenly experiencing unexplained nausea and vomiting, taking your blood pressure may explain your symptoms. These symptoms can have many different causes, but very high blood pressure is also one of them. A reading above 180/120 mmHg is considered a medical emergency, so call for help immediately.
