High Blood Pressure: Symptoms, Causes and Its Treatment

High blood pressure or hypertension can be quite concerning, given that it often persists without symptoms.

However, there are some definitive signs in severe cases. If left untreated, these may lead to serious heart diseases and should not be ignored at any cost. In this piece, we will shed some light on the prominent high blood pressure symptoms, their causes and possible treatment.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

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What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Hypertension?

There are some signs of high blood pressure in severe cases that can disrupt a person’s health conditions. Some of the symptoms to look out for are as follows:

Severe headaches
Chest pain
Rapid and irregular heart rate
Pounding in the chest, ear and neck
Nosebleed
Fatigue or mental confusion
Vision problems
Difficulty in breathing
Blood in the urine

In addition to this, some people with high blood pressure complain about feeling dizzy, face flushing and more. The above symptoms require immediate medical attention, especially for those who are old and vulnerable.

High blood pressure symptoms can occur if you have a genetic history of hypertension. Therefore, experts recommend getting regular checks by visiting a doctor’s office or any medical store.

Apart from this, you should also know about the causes of sudden high blood pressure to take appropriate preventive measures.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

A number of factors can cause hypertension based on its type. In the following section, you will find the types of high blood pressure and their respective causes:

Primary Hypertension

Also known as essential hypertension, this develops over time without any identifiable causes. However, researchers pointed out certain factors that may lead to rising blood pressure. The factors are:

Genes: An individual with a family history of high blood pressure might develop this condition in the long run. This generally happens due to gene mutation and abnormalities inherited from parents.
Physical Changes: Any changes with respect to your body can result in hypertension. For instance, kidney dysfunction due to old age might alter fluids and salt balance, which might raise your blood pressure.
Lifestyle: Following a poor diet and acquiring unhealthy habits can take a toll on your health. Poor choice of lifestyle can lead to obesity which is a direct cause of high blood pressure.

Now let’s look at the other type of hypertension.

Secondary Hypertension

The severity of this type of high blood pressure is higher in comparison to the primary one. Escalation occurs quickly and results in a fatality. The causes are:

Diseases related to kidneys.
Obstructive sleep apnoea.
Thyroid problems.
Congenital heart defects.
Side effects to any medication.
Overconsumption of alcohol.
Drug abuse.
Problems related to adrenal glands.
Endocrine tumours.

After learning about the causes, it is essential to know the diagnosis of a high blood pressure condition.

How to Check if You Have High Blood Pressure Symptoms?

The ideal way to check if you have hypertension is to get routine checks and look out for high blood pressure symptoms. Generally, a doctor will monitor your pressure readings over a certain period.

In case your blood pressure remains high, doctors will prescribe some tests. They are as follows:

Urine tests.
Cholesterol screening and other tests.
Echocardiogram.
Ultrasound of heart and kidney.

These tests will help identify any underlying cause or secondary factor contributing to high blood pressure. Also, the tests show how much effect your organs had due to the elevated blood pressure.

Moreover, to check blood pressure, one must have a clear understanding of the readings. There are two numbers that determine blood pressure reading. They are:

Systolic: It implies the top number and indicates the pressure inside your arteries when your heart pumps the blood out.
Diastolic: This reading gives the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats. The lower number signifies diastolic pressure.

A healthy person will have pressure around 120/8 mm Hg, whereas a hypertension patient’s reading will be beyond this standard. However, there is a range of hypertension readings you must know about:

Elevated: This happens if systolic pressure ranges between 120 and 129 mm Hg, and the diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg.
Stage 1: In this case, the systolic number is 130 and 139 mm Hg, and the diastolic is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2: Here, the systolic and diastolic reading is beyond 140 and 90 mm Hg.
Hypertensive crisis: This is the most severe case where the systolic is over 180 mm Hg and the diastolic is more than 120 mm Hg.

Therefore, after knowing the reading details, one can use a pressure cuff to get accurate readings if they encounter high blood pressure symptoms.

From What Age Can Hypertension Occur?

Generally, blood pressure increases with age. As per studies, individuals after hitting the age of 45 must take precautions as this age group is prone to the risks of hypertension.

However, younger people can also suffer from high blood pressure depending on their lifestyle and family history. Therefore, if you notice any signs of high BP, it is advisable to take necessary actions.

What to Do in Case of High Blood Pressure Symptoms?

Upon getting the signs of hypertension, the obvious step will be to get medical attention. Apart from this, if your blood pressure level is slightly elevated, you can opt for some home remedies that will give you relief. Some home remedies include regular exercise, following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, avoiding salty foods, less alcohol consumption, and more.

Disclaimer: The aforementioned information has been collected from multiple sources. In case you have any other symptoms of high blood pressure or want to know more about hypertension facts, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Therefore, knowing about high blood pressure symptoms will help you take better preventive measures and maintain a healthy body.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are blood spots in the eyes a symptom of hypertension?

It might not be a definitive sign of high blood pressure. However, it is better to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Can stress cause hypertension?

Yes, stress can cause high blood pressure. You can practice meditation and physical exercises to manage stress.

Can diabetes contribute to higher blood pressure?

As per research, chronic conditions like diabetes, sleep apnoea and more can result in high blood pressure.