Signs And Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
There are numerous signs and symptoms of hypertension that one should take caution of. It is important to know the signs and symptoms as it makes you be vigilant of this common disease. Detecting the symptoms could be confusing and tricky but can still be handled within its scope.
Hypertension is a very ordinary condition that anybody is can easily experience it if caution is not taken. If you really want to be vigilant of the disease and take control of your health, you should then familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms so that you can know whether you have hypertension or not.
The high blood pressure signs do not usually appear until one is in a very bad state. One is advised that once u start to feel any sign or symptom it is of urgent need to seek medical attention.
Most high blood pressure signs are headaches, dizziness, fatigue and nose bleeding. Though the existence of these signs could also be a sign of another condition, you should still be aware that hypertension could be the major cause. It’s important to act fast once you realize you have such signs and symptoms.
Most people who have hypertension can get numerous headaches that are based at the back of your head or on the neck. Also, there are also a couple of times that you can sense them behind the eyes or on the frontal part of the head.
When one is standing up you can also experience some dizziness, your blood pressure is likely to be high even if you’re just sitting down. Fatigue also indicates that there is a problem with one’s body .When one starts to nosebleed that shows that your high blood pressure condition is in an extreme level.
Frequent attacks of headaches can be of many high blood pressure signs. However, if one is experiencing such frequent attacks and you find the situation to be out of the ordinary then that could be a better chance for one to go for a high blood pressure check- up.
One can also experience frequent dizziness and maybe it can’t be associated with high blood pressure but it can be necessary for you to call your doctor once you experience such attacks and hopefully the first thing he does is to check your blood pressure.
A situation where one hears a continuous ringing voice in his or her ears then the condition is known as Tinnitus. This can also occur in a situation where one has a tendency of listening to loud music or his environment has lots of noise… Still, tinnitus is a possible symptom of high blood pressure.
Blurred vision or other abnormalities associated with vision could be caused by the increased level of hypertension. It is good to go for check-ups once you start experiencing such attacks and this could be a condition that is seasonal.
At most time’s people with hypertension can have too much colour on their faces. This could not necessarily be hypertension but if people claim that your eyes look flushed and worn out then it’s necessary to go for a high blood pressure measure.
The hypertension link is not as clear as we all would like it to be but as earlier stated if one starts to experience frequent headache attacks and the condition seems to be persistence then its right to seek some medical attention and the doctor can also identify other causes in the course of the examination and also one is strongly advised to check his or her diet and lifestyle so as to control the blood pressure in their bodies and maintain a healthy life.
Physical Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
The physical symptoms of high blood pressure can vary. The pressure your blood puts against the walls of your arteries is called blood pressure. When the heart contracts then the blood pressure is highest, it is called is called systolic pressure. When the heart is at rest between each beat, the blood pressure then falls. This is known as the diastolic pressure.
Physical symptoms can be a strong hart beat, headache or migraine, dizziness, nausea, burning skin sensations, tickling arms or legs and more.
Blood pressure is always given as two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures and both are important. The systolic pressure is the top number, and the diastolic pressure is the bottom number (for example, 120/80). If your blood pressure is 130/80, you would say it is “130 over 80”.
The medical terminology for high blood pressure is hypertension. High blood pressure can be dangerous because it makes the heart work much too hard and contributes to a medical condition called atherosclerosis (which is hardening of the arteries in the body).
High blood pressure also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are one of the most predominant causes of death among people living in westernised countries. Always watch out for high blood pressure symptoms therefore.
Plus there is also an increased risk of dementia. High blood pressure can also result in other medical conditions, such as kidney disease, congestive heart failure and even sightlessness.
A blood pressure level of 140-50/90 mmHg or higher is considered to be too high a blood pressure. It’s been found that approximately two-thirds of people over the age 65 have high blood pressure within this particular range which usually needs treating.
However if your blood pressure is between the range of 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, then you have a medical condition known as pre hypertension. This means that even though you don’t suffer from high blood pressure now, you are very likely to develop it or you are at risk of developing it in the future. Therefore you should take steps to avoid the beginning of high blood pressure by adopting a more healthy way of life.
Those who don’t suffer from high blood pressure in their mid 50’s unfortunately have an approximate 90% chance of developing it at some later stage in their lifetime. So it can be concluded that high blood pressure is a condition most people suffer from at some point in their lives.
Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but for people who are 50 or older, the systolic pressure which is the top number in the reading gives the most accurate diagnosis of high blood pressure. A reading approaching 140 mmHg or above can be considered to be high.
An Overview of the Symptoms and Causes for Low Blood Pressure
For most of us, having a high blood pressure causes immediate concern because we are all too familiar with its possible complications and effects on the body. It is common knowledge for the majority that having a high blood pressure can result to malfunction and damage to major internal organs, disability, or even death from a fatal heart attack.
If your blood pressure drops to abnormally low levels, also known as hypotension, there are dangers just the same, and that’s why we need to know the symptoms and causes of low blood pressure. Hypotension, or the physiological state of abnormally low blood pressure, is something we should all be concerned about because just like hypertension, this can be a sign of serious disorders which can lead to organ damage and life threatening consequences.
In preventing the dangers of low blood pressure, the first thing you need to know is “how low can you go?” before it can be considered dangerous. Typically a blood pressure of 120/80 or 115/75 is considered ideal, so a blood pressure of 90/60 or 115/50 is considered lower than normal.
However, since this can vary from person to person depending on physical state (athletes and people in peak physical condition have a lower blood pressure) and a whole range of other factors, and in cases where you don’t have a way to measure the blood pressure, you’ll have to rely on the symptoms.
Some of the most common signs of hypotension include dizziness, nausea, thirst, fatigue, lack of concentration, blurred vision, headache, light headedness, and irregular heart beat. While low blood pressure isn’t always serious, for good measure it would be best to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms just to be on the safe side.
In general, the top medical conditions that you need to watch out for to prevent low blood pressure include:
Pregnancy – blood pressure drops during pregnancy because of the expansion of the circulatory system. This is expected, and the pre-pregnancy levels will return after giving birth Dehydration – when you lose water, either by the use of diuretics or through exercise, your blood volume drops, and this causes low blood pressure which will manifest through weakness, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue.
Blood loss – a decrease in blood volume can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure
Lack of nutrients – deficiency in vitamin B12 and foliate prevents the body from producing enough red blood cells
Heart problems prevent your body from circulating enough blood (bradycardia, heart valve problems etc.)
High blood pressure medications, endocrine problems, old age (above 65), severe infection and allergic reaction, and certain diseases like diabetes are also some of the risk factors. If you experience any of these symptoms or find yourself in any of the conditions mentioned, consult a medical practitioner right away.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms In Women
High blood pressure symptoms in women may not be immediately apparent. This is why hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known as the “silent killer.” This is because high blood pressure often presents little or no symptoms until reaches a critical level termed hypertensive crisis. For this reason alone, it is prudent for women to have their blood pressure checked regularly and, at the very least, on an annual basis.
If left untreated, women may also develop further symptoms of high blood pressure, as listed below.
However, there is a very simple way to check blood pressure at home using automatic blood pressure monitors which can be purchased for between $50 and $100.
It is a common misconception that heart disease and high blood pressure predominantly affects men. However, following the menopause, women are more likely to suffer with high blood pressure than men. Additionally, there are certain “women’s issues” which can increase the risk of high blood pressure symptoms in women.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms in Women
Common high blood pressure symptoms in women include;
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Shortness of Breath
- There may also be additional high blood pressure symptoms in women such as;
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swelling (Ankles and/or Abdomen)
- Blurred Vision
These latter symptoms may occur suddenly and you should always seek medical advice.
Causes of High Blood Pressure Symptoms in Women
There are several factors which can lead to an increase in high blood pressure symptoms in women. Whilst some of these are hereditary, most can be avoided by living what we generally consider to be a healthy lifestyle. These factors are:
- Obesity
- Excessive Salt In Diet
- Smoking
- Alcohol Abuse
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Birth Control
- Age
- Menopause
- Family Medical History
- Diabetes
Avoiding High Blood Pressure Symptoms in Women
High blood pressure symptoms in women can be minimized by taking steps to lead a healthier lifestyle. Avoided by bringing in some changes into the lifestyle, such as:
- Lose Weight
- Reduce Salt Intake
- Quit Smoking
- Reduce Alcohol Consumption
- Take Regular Exercise
- Eat Healthy Heart Diet e.g. Omega 3 rich oily fish, fresh fruit & vegetables
- Minimize Stress
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Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Unlike high blood pressure, the symptoms of low blood pressure are easily recognizable. When the symptoms start to appear, the cause for the low blood pressure condition should be evaluated. This way, the underlying problem can be identified and treated. Normally, when the symptoms start to appear, it is a sign that the blood pressure level is really low, as symptoms do not appear when it is not very low.
When blood pressure drops to a lower level, the following signs and symptoms will most likely be experienced:
- Light-headedness, or a feeling like you’re standing on a rocking boat
- Fainting (syncope)
- Changes in mental status such as lack of concentration and anxiety
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Skin begins to look cold, clammy, and pale
- Changes in breathing pattern (Rapid or shallow breathing)
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Thirst
- Chest pain
The symptoms explained
When blood pressure drops, enough blood is not being pumped to the organs of the body, which will cause them to function improperly. If the brain is not getting adequate supply of blood, the brain cells are deprived of enough oxygen and nutrients; this will lead to the light-headedness and dizziness experienced by low blood pressure patients. It might also lead to fainting.
When a person who has low blood pressure moves from sitting to standing, the symptoms of low blood pressure will be more recognizable. This is because while standing, the blood settles in the veins of the lower body. This will lower blood pressure even more if it is already low. This is why some people experience dizziness and light-headedness when they have to stand up.
People with normal blood pressure would not experience the light-headedness, as the body is equipped to tackle these situations when blood pressure is normal. When insufficient blood goes to the arteries that supply blood to the muscles in the heart, chest pain will develop or sometimes even a heart attack. If the kidneys are not receiving enough blood they will not be able to eliminate wastes from the body and this will result in an increase in urea and creatine in the blood. Low blood pressure can also cause organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and the brain to quickly fail – a life threatening condition called shock.
When to see a doctor
Low blood pressure is not serious in many cases. When there are consistent low readings, a doctor will watch the patient until the patient feels well again. The dizziness and light-headedness experienced can also be overlooked, as it is not always a problem. This is because it might be caused by something else and not really low blood pressure.
What is important is how quickly the blood pressure level has dropped. Even considering that, it is still important to see your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of low blood pressure. These symptoms can be a sign that something is wrong in the body; therefore, they should not be ignored.