Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure (HBP) is also known as Hypertension. It is a state in which blood pressure in either arteries or veins is unusually high. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called Systolic pressure and the lowest is diastolic pressure. The normal range is 120/80 mm of Hg and can go upto 160/90 mm of Hg with increase in age. The fast pace of life and the modern world is responsible for the rise in blood pressure.

Hypertension is also named as “SILENT KILLER”. It is because of the undetectable nature of HBP that it has been assigned this name. People having HBP are usually unaware of it until they get it checked. One can suffer from HBP for many years without even being aware of its existence. This unrecognized nature can cause severe damage to heart as well as other organs. It can cause heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

A serious and acute HBP is known as Malignant Hypertension. It is a condition in which the diastolic blood pressure surpasses 140mm of Hg and the patient is required to be hospitalized immediately without any delay to prevent brain hemorrhage.

It is to be noted that HBP is a symptom and not a disease. Most of the times there are no symptoms for recognizing it, but some that may occur are as follows:

1.      Headaches :

    High Blood Pressure can lead to severe headaches.

2.      Heart Pain :

    High Blood Pressure causes high stress on the heart which results in the discomfort or pain in the heart.

3.      Palpitations :

    Palpitations are the heartbeat sensations. HBP may sometimes cause the unpleasant consciousness of one’s own heartbeat.

4.      Nosebleed (Epitasis) :

    Nose may bleed due to many reasons but it is always good to get it checked when there is no particular cause for it.

5.      Dizziness :

   It is a common experience by people suffering from hypertension. The high flow of blood in the arteries and veins makes one feel dizzy.

6.      Blurred Vision :

    Person suffering from blurred vision feels deficiency in vision. The blood pressure should be maintained under the normal level for the treatment and prevention of blurred vision.

7.      Confusion :

    It is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity. It is more common in elderly people. HBP is one of the main causes of confusion.

8.      Ear Noise or Buzzing :

   Medically it is called “Tinnitus”. If the cause of tinnitus is unknown, blood pressure should be measured.

9.      Breathlessness :

    High Blood Pressure can cause breathlessness if the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply oxygen to the body.

10.  Sleepiness (Insomnia) :

    It is a state of strong desire for sleep. The abnormal supply of blood leads to drowsiness which furthers the feeling of sleepiness.

In rare cases, hypertension may result in swelling of brain. The long term High Blood Pressure, if not cured, can cause damage to organs in following ways :

• Heart attack or failure

• Kidney failure

• Eye damage resulting in loss of vision

• Claudication : A vascular disease leading to narrowing and hardening of arteries which  supply blood to legs and feet.

• Aneurysins : It is a disease in which a blood-filled balloon like bulge occurs in the wall of blood vessels.

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