You feel fine, but the blood pressure monitor shows elevated readings. This happens often: hypertension usually comes without complaints, and the numbers on the screen say more about it than how you feel. Let's look at what signs of high blood pressure exist, why they are unreliable, and when it's time to see a doctor.
Signs of High Blood Pressure: What a Person May Feel
Blood pressure is the force with which blood presses against the walls of the arteries. At the moment the heart contracts, systolic pressure is recorded (the top number); between beats, diastolic pressure (the bottom number), for example 120/80. Hypertension is a persistent elevation of systolic pressure from 140 mmHg and/or diastolic from 90 mmHg.
Headache, blurred vision, and chest pain are sometimes mentioned, but more on them below. It sounds familiar, but most people with hypertension have none of these sensations: a person lives with elevated blood pressure and does not suspect it.
Why Hypertension Often Occurs Without Symptoms
High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms; many people live with it without knowing. According to WHO estimates as of the end of 2020, 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, about 40% of them are unaware of their condition, and only 10% receive treatment. The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to measure it.
Which Symptoms Are Possible but Rare
Rarely, high blood pressure does manifest with symptoms. In a hypertensive crisis, that is, above 180/120, medical help is needed without delay.
- headache, especially recurring;
- blurred or unclear vision;
- chest pain that comes and goes.
How Elevated Blood Pressure Is Confirmed
The diagnosis is not made from a single measurement. The doctor measures blood pressure with a cuff and stethoscope or an electronic sensor and takes two or more readings at different visits. Additionally, a home blood pressure monitor with regular measurements over several days, a repeat visit after days or weeks, or a portable monitor for 24 hours may be suggested. Reference points: 140/90 and above when measured by a healthcare professional, 135/85 and above at home. Categories: normal — below 120/80, elevated — 120–129/below 80, stage one — 130–139 or 80–89, stage two — 140 and above or 90 and above.
Why Prolonged Elevated Blood Pressure Is Dangerous
Constantly high blood pressure forces the heart to work under overload and damages the blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Without treatment, the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular dementia increases. Even a small reduction in blood pressure lowers these risks.
When a Doctor Is Needed for High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure should be checked at a pharmacy or with a doctor if you suspect you have hypertension, or if you are 40 or older and have not had your blood pressure measured in the past 5 years. At-risk groups include older adults, those with close relatives who have hypertension, people with an unhealthy diet (especially a lot of salt), excess weight, smokers, those who abuse alcohol, and those living under prolonged stress.
High blood pressure by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; call 103 or 112 if sudden pain or discomfort in the chest appears that does not go away, pain radiates to the arm, neck, jaw, abdomen, or back, or if with chest pain you are sweating, feel nauseous, dizzy, or short of breath.
Myth: if your head doesn't hurt, your blood pressure is normal. Fact: hypertension usually causes no symptoms, and relying on how you feel means missing it. This material is for reference: discuss the numbers on your blood pressure monitor with a doctor, not with a search engine.
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This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer