Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. There are two types of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic. The pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood is known as systolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure that is applied in the blood vessels in between two beats. The normal pressure of blood reads 120/80 mmHg. When this pressure consistently reads 140/90 mmHg or higher, it is termed as high blood pressure or hypertension. A stressful lifestyle is the most common cause of this condition. Given below are some of the major causes of high blood pressure together with the signs and symptoms that it may exhibit.

Causes

There are two forms of hypertension (blood pressure): primary and secondary. Primary hypertension accounts for about 95% of hypertension cases, though its exact cause is not known. In about 5-10% cases, high blood pressure is caused by or in combination with other diseases. This is known as secondary hypertension. This condition can be brought on by kidney diseases, diabetes, tumors of the adrenal gland, constriction of the aorta and thyroid dysfunction. Some of the other factors that can cause high blood pressure are:

• Aging
• Smoking
• Alcohol addiction
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stress
• Excess intake of sodium in the diet
• Use of certain birth control pills

Symptoms

In case of primary hypertension, most people don't experience any noticeable symptoms. Even if there are some symptoms, they are generally mild and nonspecific. That is why hypertension is known as the 'silent killer'. When blood pressure rises suddenly, it can cause a hypertensive crisis. This condition can progress to certain potentially fatal complications such as a stroke or heart attack. Individuals with high blood pressure may experience symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Blurred vision

In addition to the above mentioned symptoms, a person with a high blood pressure may also experience the following.

Headache
A headache caused due to hypertension may be experienced frequently and the pain may not subside even after taking medication. Due to high blood pressure, there is an increase in the flow of blood in the head. This can strain blood vessels in the brain. The person experiences pulsating headache behind the eyes, usually early in the morning.

Palpitations
Increased blood circulation through the body causes the heart to pump out more blood than normal. This can cause heart palpitations. An increase in the flow of blood in the head can lead to changes in one's vision; such as blurred vision, white spots or blindness.

Malignant Hypertension
About 1% people with high blood pressure are diagnosed with severe hypertension, also known as malignant hypertension. In malignant hypertension, the diastolic blood pressure measures higher than 140 mmHg. It can cause symptoms such as nausea, headache and light-headedness. Malignant hypertension is considered a medical emergency, and needs immediate medical treatment in order to prevent possible brain damage.

High blood pressure can remain unrecognized for years, and if untreated, can cause progressive damage to various organs such as the heart, eyes or kidneys. This can lead to angina (chest pain), abnormal heartbeat, heart failure or heart attack, stroke, renal failure, retinopathy (eye damage), peripheral arterial disease etc. A good way to avoid these serious complications is to prevent or control high blood pressure by following a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise should be complemented with a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grain and low-fat dairy products. Maintenance of healthy weight and control over unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcoholism need to be adhered to. This will help to lower high blood pressure and prevent its life-threatening complications.