High Blood Pressure

Why high blood pressure symptoms are overlooked

Known as 'the silent killer', high blood pressure symptoms are mostly hidden

By Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MD

The tricky part when looking for high blood pressure symptoms is that there aren’t any. High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because any symptom that may be shown can be just as common in those with normal blood pressure. These include: headache, sleepiness, chest pain, confusion and fatigue.

Recognize high blood
pressure symptoms

Arteries are the pipes that carry blood throughout the body to the reach the tissues and organs. Blood pressure is a measure of the force that blood is pushed through the arteries. High blood pressure is when the systolic pressure is consistently at 130 or higher and diastolic is consistently at 80 or higher.

Unfortunately, high blood pressure symptoms are mostly hidden; many do not know that their health could be at risk. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke and other health risks.

These risks increase when the arteries become clogged, which causes the heart to work harder and become enlarged. It then becomes more difficult to pump a sufficient amount of blood. If high blood pressure is never noticed or checked, it can worsen and cause damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

High blood pressure can be treated with lifestyle changes and in some cases, medication. These include regular physical activity, a healthier diet, avoiding smoking and limiting your consumption of alcohol. Having your blood pressure regularly checked and monitored can help to identify if high blood pressure is a concern.