Is it possible to detect high blood pressure easily? Will it go unnoticed?
It is possible that you may have high blood pressure without knowing you have it. It usually shows no warning signs unless your blood pressure rises very high. Some of you might experience signs such as fatigue or a headache which you might ignore as it can occur quite commonly in your daily stressful life.
However, it is important to detect and manage high blood pressure at an early stage in order to avoid complications. Uncontrolled hypertension can affect the functioning of your vital organs such as your heart and kidneys. Let’s find out how to detect the signs of high blood pressure early.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the flowing blood on the walls of your arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of the body. With each heartbeat, your heart pumps blood into your arteries.
Your blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and comprises two numbers:
- The systolic blood pressure (the top number) indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
- The diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) indicates the pressure in your arteries between the beats.
An ideal blood pressure level is less than or equal to 120/80 mm Hg, where 120 is the systolic blood pressure and 80 is the diastolic blood pressure.
What is High Blood Pressure Or Hypertension?
High blood pressure or hypertension is the blood pressure that is higher than normal. Your blood pressure varies throughout the day, depending on your activities. When the reading is consistently above the normal range, your condition will be diagnosed as hypertension.
What are the Causes of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure develops over time. The multiple factors that affect your blood pressure include, having a family history of hypertension, advancing age, unhealthy lifestyle choices such as leading a sedentary lifestyle, and following an unhealthy diet.
What are the Common Symptoms of High Blood Pressure/Hypertension?
High blood pressure usually does not exhibit any symptoms unless the condition becomes severe. Individuals with hypertension may develop the following symptoms:
1. Headache
High blood pressure can result in a constant throbbing headache. It is usually felt on both sides of the head and can worsen while performing any strenuous activities. It occurs due to increased intracranial pressure (pressure within the skull).
2. Nosebleeds
High blood pressure is known to cause spontaneous nosebleeds. It occurs as the result of damage to the blood vessels of your nose. Severe bleeding will require emergency care.
3. Shortness of Breath
Individuals with hypertension may experience shortness of breath even with regular activities such as walking or climbing stairs. It is seen in cases where your arteries are narrow and the heart has to work harder to pump blood against the resistance.
4. Problems With Vision
As high blood pressure can affect small blood vessels in the eye, it can lead to vision problems. It can cause blurred vision or in severe cases, complete loss of vision. This condition is known as hypertensive retinopathy.
5. Fatigue
Individuals with high blood pressure often experience tiredness. More often fatigue or tiredness related to high blood pressure occur due to other contributing factors such as blood pressure medications, stress, or sleep disturbances.
6. Chest Pain
High blood pressure eventually causes damage to your blood vessels. It weakens your arteries making them elastic. This can affect the blood flow to the heart depriving your heart of oxygen-rich blood. This can lead to chest pain or angina.
7. Palpitations
Palpitations are sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat. You may feel like your heart is skipping a beat or racing unexpectedly. These can be triggered by stress, anxiety, excessive caffeine, or underlying health conditions. Common causes include electrolyte imbalances, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), or even certain medications. While palpitations are often harmless, frequent or intense episodes may require medical evaluation to rule out serious heart conditions.
Why is it Important to Detect Signs of High Blood Pressure Early?
- High blood pressure, over a long period of time, can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs.
- It increases the risk of complications such as heart failure, aneurysms (weakening and bulging of the arteries), heart attack, or stroke.
- High BP can affect the functioning of your kidneys by weakening the blood vessels that supply them.
- Uncontrolled hypertension can affect your vision and also affect your ability to think and cause memory problems.
Early detection and treatment will help in keeping your blood pressure under control and preventing these complications of hypertension.
What are the Precautions for High Blood Pressure?
Adopting these strategies can help you prevent high blood pressure.
- Limit your sodium intake
- Have a healthy diet
- Increase your physical activity
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get enough sleep
- Manage stress
- Avoid smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
When To See A Doctor
As high blood pressure usually does not exhibit any symptoms, it is diagnosed during regular health check-ups. Therefore, make sure that you monitor your blood pressure regularly. Individuals who are undergoing treatment for hypertension should keep a regular check on their blood pressure and consult their doctor frequently as recommended. Those who already have high blood pressure should be aware of the warning signs and when to seek immediate medical attention.
These signs would require emergency care:
- Lightheadedness
- Excessive sweating
- Confusion
- Facial flushing
- Blood spots in the eye
Key Takeways
- Blood pressure is the force exerted by the flowing blood on the walls of your arteries.
- A normal blood pressure level is less than or equal to 120/80 mm/Hg (systolic/diastolic).
- High blood pressure or hypertension is the blood pressure that is higher than normal.
- Multiple factors such as genetics, age, and lifestyle habits contribute to high blood pressure.
- Usually, there are no symptoms of high blood pressure. Some may experience symptoms such as headache, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and vision problems.
- Early detection and treatment of high BP symptoms will help in keeping your blood pressure under control and preventing complications such as cardiovascular conditions.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent high blood pressure.
