Are There Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure (also called
hypertension) is often referred to as "the silent killer," as most people with the condition don't experience any high
blood pressure signs and symptoms. Often, the disease doesn't cause problems over a short period of time. It usually takes several years for high blood pressure to cause noticeable symptoms; even then, signs and symptoms are often mild and nonspecific (meaning they could be caused by several different conditions).
Unfortunately, by the time most people experience signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, serious damage has often already been done to vital body structures. The only real way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure taken by your healthcare provider. People with high blood pressure typically don't even realize they have it until they have
blood pressure readings that are too high.
Common High Blood Pressure Signs and Symptoms
In some cases, a person can display signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, such as:
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Dizziness.
Many people don't seek medical care until they have more severe symptoms from the organ damage that long-term (chronic) high blood pressure can cause.
