Q

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

A Answers (15)

  • Dr. Michael Roizen, MD - Cleveland, OH - Internal Medicine
    A , Internal Medicine, answered
    Hypertension (or high blood pressuere) is called the "silent killer" cause the majority of people with it have NO SYMPTOMS. However, headaches, especially pounding ones, are a symptom. Hypertension or high blood pressure is the leading cause of arterial injury -- injury to your blood vessels. You repair those injuries to your arteries with cholesterol plaques -- so heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, impotence, decay in orgasm quality and even premature wrinkling and lack of energy can be symptoms of high blood pressure.

    Since 70% of people in developed countries have some form of high blood pressure by age 70, and it causes so much disability that can be prevented by lifestyle (yes, food choices and portion size, physical activity, stress management, and meditation) or medication treatments, you should know your numbers and get them to 115 over 75, no matter what.
    2 people found this helpful.
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine
    A answered
    Hypertension is characterized by a persistent increase in the force that the blood exerts upon the artery walls. It is normal for this force to increase with stress or physical exertion, but with hypertension, the patient's blood pressure is high even when they're resting.

    Symptoms are rare with uncomplicated hypertension. However, the following may occur when blood pressure is dangerously high:
    • Headaches.
    • Dizziness or ringing in the ears.
    • Palpitations.
    • Nosebleeds.
    • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
    • Drowsiness or confusion.
    All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year. This practice is especially applicable if you are male, over age 40, overweight (particularly if you have been overweight since youth), sedentary, or if you have a family history of hypertension or heart disease.
    4 people found this helpful.
  • Edtrina Moss - Missouri City, TX - Ambulatory Care
    A Ambulatory Care, answered on behalf of
    Hypertension or "high blood pressure" is often called the 'silent killer.' Usually symptoms of hypertension don't manifest until the blood pressure is nearly life threatening. Unmanaged or uncontrolled hypertension over time can provide subtle clues that something is wrong. One common symptom is frequent headaches that are unmanaged by regular analgesics. Another symptom could be fatigue.

    There is great news! Frequent checkups with your healthcare provider will help identify the early signs of hypertension. This will give you and your healthcare team a greater chance of controlling and managing the disease before extensive loss to vital organs occur.
    1 person found this helpful.
  • National Kidney Foundation
    A answered
    High blood pressure (hypertension) often causes no symptoms, even if severe. You can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That is why it is called a silent killer. The only way you can tell if your blood pressure is too high is to have it measured.
    1 person found this helpful.
  • Dr. Sameer A. Sayeed, MD - Somers, NY - Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)
    A , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered
    High blood pressure can and usually goes unnoticed as there are usually few or no symptoms associated with it unless it is very high. This is why it so dangerous. It can be present for a long period of time and go unnoticed, while causing damage to the organs in the body, and symptoms only develop once there is some end-organ damage such as damage to the heart, kidneys, brain or major blood vessels. If blood pressure is very high, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, flushing and rapid heart rate may be present, but in most routine cases of high blood pressure, again, these tend to be asymptomatic.
    3 people found this helpful.
  • Natural Medicines
    A answered
    High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer because an individual can have it for years without knowing it. Hypertension rarely causes symptoms at first but is a risk factor for many other conditions including kidney disease and coronary heart disease, which may lead to heart attack and/or stroke (lack of blood and oxygen to the tissues).

    Although it rarely happens, hypertension occasionally causes symptoms such as vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dimmed vision, fatigue (tiredness), palpitations (irregular heart beat), impotence (inability of males to achieve or maintain erection), and fainting. Extremely elevated blood pressure can cause a headache upon awakening or, even more rarely, nosebleed, nausea, or vomiting.

    Hypertensive emergency (malignant hypertension) can be life threatening and has recognizable symptoms that require immediate treatment. Symptoms include blurred vision, headache, confusion, anxiety, drowsiness, fatigue (tiredness), nausea, vomiting, chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, cough, decreased urinary output, and weakness or numbness in the arms, legs, face, or other areas.

    If symptoms of malignant hypertension are noticed, call 911 emergency immediately.

    You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    3 people found this helpful.
  • Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)
    A answered
    Most people have no unusual feelings with high blood pressure. Unlike other health conditions, there is no major symptom of high blood pressure that indicates you have a serious health problem until you have a major heart attack or stroke. Or if you are lucky, your doctor will check your blood pressure at a routine check-up and alert you to the problem of hypertension and the need for treatment.

    Use caution with high blood pressure. Once you have hypertension, it usually stays with you for a lifetime. But if you fail to seek treatment for hypertension, you will pay the price with an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, kidney disease, stroke, blindness and other very serious illnesses.
    3 people found this helpful.
  • Dr. Joseph O. Rainwater, MD - Littleton, CO - Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)
    A Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of
    The symptoms of high blood pressure are very often nonexistent; in fact, most people who have high blood pressure experience no symptoms whatsoever. Sometimes people will describe a sense of pounding in the head, but for most of them, high blood pressure is a silent problem.
    1 person found this helpful.
  • Dr. Joseph H. Henderson, MD - Greenville, SC - Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)
    A Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of
    Symptoms are not a reliable guide to the presence of high blood pressure. Typically, high blood pressure does not cause any symptoms. However, severe elevation of blood pressure can occasionally cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

    The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
    1 person found this helpful.
  • Emilia Klapp - South Pasadena, CA - Nutrition & Dietetics
    A , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered
    In most cases, high blood pressure, also called hypertension, has no symptoms or warning signs unless it has reached a life-threatening stage. Most people find out their blood pressure is too high through visiting their doctors. Severe hypertension can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, but this is rare.
  • Dr. Lisa M. Knust, MD - Carrollton, VA - Family Medicine
    A Family Medicine, answered on behalf of
    Most often, high blood pressure does not cause any symptoms. Many people do not know their blood pressure is high unless it is checked. Symptoms that may occur include headache, dizziness, and fatigue. It is usually better to find out about high blood pressure before symptoms develop because by that time, it has often become more severe.
  • Riverside Heart and Vascular Center
    A answered
    The following signs and symptoms may be related to your hypertension:
    • blurring of vision or loss of vision
    • chest pain
    • dizziness or fainting
    • mild to severe (very bad) headache
    • dudden unexplained body weakness
    • trouble breathing
    3 people found this helpful.
  • Scripps Health
    A answered
    Unfortunately, high blood pressure has few, if any, symptoms. As a result, regular testing at a doctor’s office (or using a home device if recommended) is important. The higher the pressure, the greater the risk for heart disease and stroke.
  • Intermountain Healthcare
    A answered
    Rarely, people with high blood pressure may have dizziness, headaches, or nose bleeds. However, most people have no signs or symptoms. For this reason, you should have your blood pressure checked regularly even if you're feeling fine.
  • Dr. Michael K. Rakotz, MD - Evanston, IL - Family Medicine
    A Family Medicine, answered on behalf of
    Michael Rakotz, MD - What are the symptoms of hypertension?
    Learn more from Dr. Michael Rakotz on behalf of NorthShore University about the symptoms of high blood pressure.
    2 people found this helpful.
This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Did You See?  Close
Should I see a doctor about secondary high blood pressure?