Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is commonly referred to as the silent killer by members of the medical community. This is because the condition does not produce any symptoms at first. Most people have no idea they have this problem until they see a doctor and have their pressure checked regularly over a period of time. However, there are some symptoms of high blood pressure that can develop if it goes extremely high. If these symptoms are seen, a doctor should be contacted immediately to avoid a possible heart attack or stroke.
One of the first signs a person may notice is a severe headache accompanied by vision problems and/or a pounding in the chest, ears, or neck. These symptoms may be attributable to other medical conditions that could be as life threatening as a potential stroke. Therefore, medical care is imperative if these symptoms are experienced.
Chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing are normally viewed as signs of a heart attack. However, these signs can develop as a result of an extremely high blood pressure. If they are caused by hypertension, this does not negate the potential for a heart attack. Therefore, a doctor should be seen as soon as possible.
Another sign that may be noticed is fatigue or confusion. If one feels tired all the time and unable to think clearly, he/she can be suffering from one of many different conditions. Many of these conditions are not life threatening. However, a hypertensive episode can create these signs and be an early warning sign that a stroke is eminent.
Blood in the urine can mean many different things. It is commonly associated with kidney or UT infections. However, these conditions are quite painful. If blood is noticed and there is no pain, this could be an indicator that the pressure is high enough to push the blood across the filters that normally remove toxins in the kidneys, allowing it to enter the urine.
Possible problems that can develop if one has hypertension and does not get proper medical care to bring the pressure down include not only heart attacks or strokes, but also blindness and kidney failure.
None of the symptoms of high blood pressure mentioned here are one hundred percent attributable to hypertension. These symptoms are almost always signs of a serious condition that requires immediate medical care in order to avoid the development of a life threatening episode.
Hypertension may not produce any specific symptoms of its own. However, it can lead to the development of heart disease, a stroke, or other major health conditions that can be deadly or disabling. This is why it has come to be called the silent killer. People who do not see their doctor on a regular basis can suffer from this condition without ever knowing it until they are struck down by one of these secondary conditions.
It is important to understand that there are no symptoms of high blood pressure that let one know the condition exists. Diagnosis is made by looking at the average of several different blood pressure readings over a period of time. When a doctor determines that a person suffers from hypertension, he/she will prescribe a medication to lower the pressure to a normal level. Dietary changes are also recommended in most cases such as reducing the amount of sodium one consumes.
If any of the discussed symptoms of high blood pressure are noticed, it is important to note that the individual seek out emergency medical care right away. These symptoms may not be caused by hypertension, but they are certainly signs of serious medical conditions that could become life threatening.