Hypertension (High blood pressure) is a chronic silent condition that is not easily detectable, Many individuals with hypertension do not exhibit apparent symptoms, despite being affected by the disease for several years.
In the following article, we will discuss high blood pressure symptoms and when you should visit a doctor, continue reading:
High blood pressure symptoms
Hypertension is a common chronic condition worldwide; It is described as a silent disease because despite being a prevalent health issue, most people affected by it are unaware because most of them do not notice the appearance of symptoms.
Despite the absence of symptoms in most individuals with mild hypertension, a severe elevation, which means a blood pressure reading exceeding 180/120 millimeters of mercury, can cause the appearance of specific symptoms.
1- The general symptoms
Severe hypertension can cause the appearance of some or all of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache.
- Chest pain.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Blurred vision.
- Feeling anxious or agitated.
- Ringing sound in the ears.
- Nosebleeds.
- Irregular heartbeat.
2- The rare and severe symptoms
In sporadic cases and when blood pressure is elevated significantly, the following symptoms may appear:
- Increased sweating.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Flushing of the face.
- The appearance of blood spots in the eyes.
It is important to note that the aforementioned high blood pressure symptoms can also occur with various other health conditions and problems. Therefore, we recommend visiting a doctor to determine the underlying cause; because the presence of these symptoms alone does not confirm a diagnosis of hypertension.
When to see a doctor?
It is advised to visit a doctor immediately if any of the aforementioned high blood pressure symptoms occur. This is important for measuring blood pressure, identifying the underlying cause of these symptoms, and determining the appropriate treatment; failure to treat hypertension can lead to serious conditions such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and eye problems.
Since hypertension often does not cause symptoms, it is important to regularly and consistently measure blood pressure during doctor visits, even if the usual readings are normal. The frequency of blood pressure check-ups depends on several factors, including age and overall health status.
Therefore, here are the critical recommendations regarding blood pressure measurement:
- If the age is 3 – 18 years: Measuring blood pressure once a year is recommended.
- If the age is between 18 – 40 years: The recommendations depend on the presence of risk factors for developing hypertension, which can be clarified as follows:
- If there are risk factors, measuring blood pressure once a year is recommended.
- If there are no risk factors, measuring blood pressure at least every two years is recommended.
- If the age is over 40: measuring blood pressure once a year is recommended.
The doctor may recommend increasing the frequency of blood pressure measurements if the readings are high or if there are risk factors for heart disease.
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