High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Discover the symptoms, risks, and management strategies for high blood pressure. Learn why regular monitoring, healthy lifestyle changes, and effective treatments are important to prevent complications and support long-term well-being.
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Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
When blood flows through the blood vessels, it puts pressure on the walls. When this force is too high, it is known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is often symptomless but can pose serious health risks if left untreated. It increases the likelihood of stroke, heart attack, and other complications, making timely management essential.
Nearly half of adults who have hypertension don’t realise it. Therefore, checkups are essential to keep this condition under check.
Let us discuss in this blog how dietary changes, exercise and medicine can help you keep your blood pressure within limits.
Common Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Some common symptoms of high blood pressure include the following:
Headaches
This is one of the most common symptoms among individuals with high blood pressure. High blood pressure tends to damage the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. Apart from that, hypertension places excessive pressure on the brain, causing the blood to leak from the vessels. This leakage results in swelling, further causing headache and dizziness.
Dizziness and Blurred Vision
High blood pressure harms the tiny blood vessels of the eyes. When blood flow to the retina is restricted, it may result in blurred vision or complete sight loss. Another condition known as choroidopathy results in fluid buildup under the retina. Blocked blood flow also tends to damage the optic nerve. This kills the nerve cells in the eyes, resulting in a condition known as optic neuropathy.
Nosebleeds
Although uncommon, hypertension may sometimes result in nosebleeds. Uncontrolled blood pressure may damage the blood vessels in the nose, thereby resulting in bleeding.
Less Common Symptoms
Some other symptoms of high blood pressure include:
Shortness of Breath
High pressure inside the pulmonary arteries, the vessels carrying blood from the heart's right side to the lungs’ right side, may damage the right side of the heart muscles. This makes it difficult for the heart muscles to pump blood and oxygen less efficiently. This may result in symptoms like shortness of breath.
Chest Pain
High blood pressure narrows the arteries that supply blood to the heart. When the blood flow to the heart is diminished, it may result in chest pain, known as angina. Angina leads to irregular heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias, or may also result in a heart attack.
Dangers of Overlooking Symptoms
Although hypertension may be asymptomatic, it's early detection is important to avert the following risks:
Damage to arteries: The cells of the inner lining of the arteries are damaged.
Brain: Blockage of blood supply to the brain may lead to ministroke.
Heart: High blood pressure may also lead to heart failure, artery disease, etc.
Kidney: Damage of blood vessels hinders the process of filtration, ultimately leading to kidney failure.
Eyes: Damaged blood vessels restrict the blood supply to the different parts of the eyes, thereby resulting in vision loss.
Asymptomatic Nature of Hypertension
The symptoms of blood pressure are not always prominent. However, by now, we are aware of the health risks associated with high blood pressure. It is due to this reason that high blood pressure is also known as a “silent killer”.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure allows individuals to remain adequately informed about their health condition so that possible health risks can be avoided. It also makes it easy to determine how blood pressure is responding to lifestyle and medicine changes.
Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure
Here are a few approaches leveraged to diagnose high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Measurement
During a blood pressure measurement, an individual has to sit comfortably in a chair. The legs shouldn't be crossed, and the arm should rest at the heart level.
A cuff goes around the arm’s top part. It should fit properly for the most accurate results.
A stethoscope is placed over the major artery of the upper arm for the most accurate readings.
The cuff is inflated by pumping it through a small hand pump. This stops the blood flow momentarily.
The valve of the hand pump is then opened to deflate the cuff and restore the blood flow.
The professional recording the measurement then listens to the blood flow and records the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Additional Diagnostic Test
Some other tests to diagnose high blood pressure are:
Ambulatory monitoring test that continues over a period of 24 hours.
Tests may be done to check the blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Lab tests may be done to check the functioning of the liver, kidney, etc.
An electrocardiogram and echocardiogram may be done to assess the heart’s functioning.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Normal blood pressure range is 120/80 mmHg. Anything beyond this may indicate a condition of hypertension. However, if your blood pressure level reads 180/120, it may be considered a hypertension crisis. It may be wise to consult a doctor if you experience the following severe symptoms:
Palpitations
Chest pain
Severe headache
Nosebleeds
Shortness of breath
Anxiousness
Nausea
Vomiting
Blurred vision
Abnormal heart rhythm
Associated Risk Factors
Let’s take a look at the associated factors that potentially contribute to high blood pressure:
Lifestyle and Dietary Influences
The following lifestyle and dietary factors may lead to hypertension:
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Excessive salt consumption
Too much salt in diet
Very less potassium in diet
Excessive quantities of saturated and trans fats
Not getting enough sleep
Stress
Being obese or overweight
Genetic and Age-related Factors
These are some genetic and age-related factors that are responsible for hypertension:
Family history of hypertension
Being over 40
Women approaching or going through menopause
Managing and Preventing High Blood Pressure
By implementing these simple changes, anyone can successfully manage healthy blood pressure levels.
Lifestyle Changes
The following lifestyle changes can help prevent high blood pressure and keep it under check:
Maintaining the DASH diet
Engaging in regular physical exercise
Losing weight and maintaining it
Limiting the consumption of alcohol
Not smoking
Getting enough sleep every day
Medication Options
The following medicines can help keep your blood pressure under check:
Diuretics
Beta-blockers
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Alpha blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Alpha-2 receptor agonists
Vasodilators
Conclusion
High blood pressure is a serious condition that may show no symptoms but can lead to life-threatening complications like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and vision loss. When symptoms occur, they may include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Early detection through regular blood pressure monitoring is essential for effective management. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes such as following a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and managing stress can significantly lower the risk. Medications may also be necessary in some cases to keep blood pressure under control.
By staying informed and prioritising regular checkups, individuals can protect their long-term health and improve their quality of life.
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