Signs & Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure: Health Risks and Complications

Hypertension is known as the silent killer because there are no symptoms – until the damage is already done. Nearly a third of people who have hypertension do not know it. And nearly a third of adult Americans have high blood pressure. This means that about one in ten adult Americans has high blood pressure and doesn’t know it.

This is why it is so important to get regular blood pressure checks. Especially if you have any of the root causes or risk factors.

High blood pressure (HBP) itself usually has no symptoms. Rarely, headaches may occur. You can have HBP for years without knowing it. During this time, HBP can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Some people only learn that they have HBP after the damage has caused problems, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure.

Many people don’t take high blood pressure as seriously as they should.  The lack of physical symptoms makes it seem unimportant.  It also means that people don’t always take their medications – they can’t feel the benefit of medications, but can feel the side effects.

You must see a doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure.

* Recurring headaches
* Dizziness
* Unexplained sweating
* Nosebleeds
* Visual disturbances
* Shortness of breath
* Flushed cheeks
* Ringing in the ears

 Knowing your blood pressure numbers is important, even when you're feeling fine. If your blood pressure is normal, you can work with your health care team to keep it that way. If your numbers are too high, you can take steps to lower them and control your blood pressure. This helps reduce your risk for complications.

HBP puts a great strain on blood vessels found throughout the body and increases the possibility of developing a variety of ailments. The consequences of prolonged and unmitigated high blood pressure can include stroke, kidney failure and heart disease.

An individual cannot know whether they are managing their blood pressure effectively without undergoing regular medical physicals or self-monitoring. Doctor visits or self-testing should be conducted not only when you are feeling ill, but also as a responsible preventive measure. If you know you have HBP, you and your doctor can formulate a strategy – perhaps a change in diet, medication, and/or regular exercise – to tackle the problem.

Medical Complications Associated with HBP:

-Blood Vessels The blood vessels around vital organs, such as the arteries carrying oxygen rich blood, can narrow. The narrowed vessels interrupt healthy blood flow and can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke. Poor circulation to the body’s limbs, especially the legs, can also result if HBP goes untreated. In the worst cases this can lead to the partial amputation of these limbs.

-Eyes The blood vessels in the eyes can burst; this can cause bleeding, vision impairment and in some cases even complete blindness.

-Heart The heart can be dangerously altered by HBP. The stress and strain placed on it may cause it to become enlarged, eventually leading to heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the enlarged and weakened heart can no longer pump blood effectively through the body.

-Aneurysms The potentially deadly ballooning and subsequent rupture of an artery is called an aneurysm. They often occur along the aortic artery that begins at the heart and chest and continues through the abdomen. The rupture of the aortic artery causes extensive internal bleeding and is often fatal. Aneurysms can also occur in arteries in the legs, intestines, the spleen and the brain.

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