Hypertension Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, can cause gradual, long-term damage without being noticed. There’s a good reason why it’s called the “silent killer”.

However, there’s no need to panic. By understanding more about the warning signs of hypertension as well as your risk factors, you can easily keep your blood pressure under control.

Let’s start with some of the potential warning signs.

Signs You Might Need to See a Doctor About Hypertension

While these signs are not necessarily indicative of high blood pressure, it’s best to see your doctor if you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms more regularly.

1. Unexplained Headaches. While there are several reasons why you might be experiencing headaches, very painful headaches that occur regularly could be linked to high blood pressure. This is because the increased pressure causes more pressure in the cranium.
2. Chest Pain. Also known as angina, hypertension can cause a heavy and tight feeling in the chest – almost like someone is squeezing you too tight. This is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
3. Blurred Vision. Hypertension can also start affecting your vision and if left untreated, can lead to hypertensive retinopathy.
4. Fatigue. Life is busy and we all have slumps, but ongoing and severe fatigue is another early warning sign of high blood pressure. If you feel that your level of fatigue is unusual based on your daily activities, it’s time to see a doctor.

Some of the less common, but more serious signs of hypertension can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and anxiety
• Nosebleeds
• Muscle tremors
• Buzzing in the ears
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Blood spots in the eyes

A Closer Look at Hypertension Risk Factors

Next, let’s look at some of the factors that could increase your risk of developing high blood pressure:

• Family history of hypertension. If one or both of your parents or grandparents struggled with high blood pressure, you might too.
• Menopause. Women who have reached menopause are more prone to hypertension.
• Birth control medication. Certain types of birth control pills are known to increase blood pressure, so speak to your doctor about all your options.
• Poor lifestyle choices. Overall, if you’re not exercising regularly, are a smoker, and are eating foods high in sodium, you have an increased risk of developing hypertension.
• Gestational diabetes. This condition can increase blood pressure both during and after pregnancy. This is why it helps to work closely with a trusted obstetrician.
• Preeclampsia. If you have high blood pressure during your pregnancy, there’s a high chance you could develop hypertension after the birth.

Easy Ways to Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure

Now that you know whether you might be at risk or need to see your GP, let’s cover a few simple ways you can keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

• Maintain a healthy, but manageable number on the scale. Dropping excess weight and doing what you can to exercise, whatever that means for you, can significantly reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
• Spend more time in the fresh produce aisle. Eating more vegetables doesn’t need to be boring – not when you have a plethora of exciting recipes available to you online. And if you really want to get vegetables to work for you, eat more items that contain high levels of potassium.
• Easy on the salt. Reducing your salt intake is one of the easiest ways to keep your blood pressure levels healthy. Make some small adjustments such as not getting salty fries with a burger if you’re going to order in.
• Change up your bar habits. Love heading to your local for a beer and a smoke or two? Doing so could put you at higher risk for hypertension. Quitting smoking is your first line of defense. Cutting down on how many drinks you have per week is another.
• Add a supplement to your daily routine. Supplements like Presura from Vita Sciences can give your body that extra bit of support as you take steps to reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
• Take your sleep seriously. The final way that you can maintain healthy blood pressure levels is to get enough sleep. And if you feel that you’re not getting quality sleep, ask your partner about your snoring habits. Disrupted breathing can raise your blood pressure, causing damage over the long term.

While this advice will certainly help you on your health journey, it’s still essential to speak to your doctor about your blood pressure and any risk factors you might be dealing with before you go any further.