High blood pressure is detrimental to your health. Also called hypertension, it is said to be a ‘silent killer’ as most people are unable to spot any sign or symptom of high blood pressure in its earlier stages. If we go by the data presented at the 70th annual conference of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI), one in every five adults suffers from high blood pressure. What is worrying is that undiagnosed hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart disease.
Hypertension can be of two types– primary and secondary. Primary hypertension develops over a period of time without any underlying cause. Secondary hypertension develops more quickly and is usually the result of an underlying medical condition like kidney conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid issues, congenital heart defects, side effects due to medications, problems or disorders with the adrenaline glands, endocrine tumours, etc.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure To Watch Out For
If you are wondering what sign or symptom of high blood pressure you should look out for, we’ve put together a list of commonly observed signs and symptoms of hypertension, and these include:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding from the nose
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- The blurring of vision of other visual changes
Usually, these symptoms need immediate medical attention. Though everyone with hypertension does not experience the same symptoms, most people suffer from one or more of these signs and symptoms. If these common symptoms are ignored, hypertension can become severe, and some signs and symptoms at this stage include:
- Confusion and fatigue
- Breathing difficulty
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blood in the urine
- Sweating
- Nervousness
What If You Ignore Warning Signs Of High Blood Pressure?
Even though high blood pressure does not give out signs and symptoms in its early stages, the best way to identify it is by regularly monitoring your blood pressure levels. Many people ignore any of the above signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, which can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
Here’s what can happen if you ignore the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure:
- Increased pressure on the arteries in the body and the heart, resulting in a heart attack.
- Uncontrolled blood pressure can cause kidney damage
- Impair vision
- Can cause dementia or stroke
How To Manage High Blood Pressure?
If you experience one or more signs and symptoms of hypertension, you must visit your doctor immediately. Here are some common ways by which high blood pressure is managed:
- Medications
- Following a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Effective stress management
- Regular workouts
- Reduce intake of sodium
- Avoid fried and processed foods that are rich in trans fats
Regular health checkups and frequent blood pressure monitoring can help in early diagnosis and prompt treatment for hypertension. Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your hypertension and help you devise a healthy lifestyle along with appropriate medications.
Note of Caution: This article is for information purposes only. Always consult your doctor in case of any blood pressure or other health-related problems.
Reference Link – https://bpincontrol.in/signs-symptoms-of-high-blood-pressure/hypertension-signs-and-symptoms/
