Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
The force or pressure of the blood against the blood vessel walls is measured as blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure, the walls of your body’s blood vessels are constantly under too much pressure. There are two numbers in a blood pressure reading.
Systolic blood pressure, which appears as the top number, measures the force exerted on blood vessel walls when your heart beats or contracts. Diastolic blood pressure, which appears as the bottom number, measures the force exerted on your blood vessels between heartbeats as your heart slows down. They are both measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Ideal blood pressure is generally considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. However, everyone’s blood pressure will be slightly different. What is considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Hypertension does not always cause visible symptoms, in most cases the symptoms are nonspecific and not definite. However, some common symptoms are:
- Headache
- Hemorrhage
- Spots of blood in the eyes
- Facial flushing
- Dizzy
Contact your doctor if you have a severe headache or nosebleeds along with other symptoms of illness as they may be signs of underlying medical conditions.
Causes and risk factors of high blood pressure
Family history of high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.
Tips to keep high blood pressure away
- Using a home blood pressure monitor, check your blood pressure frequently. These automatic electronic monitors are advertised online and available at most pharmacies.
- Eat healthy foods that are low in fat and salt.
- Get and keep your ideal body weight.
- Men should have no more than two drinks a day, while women should have no more than one drink a day.
- Be more physically active.
- Stop using tobacco products and/or smoking.
Take steps to control your stress and anger.
