Not everyone will show signs of having high blood pressure
Blood pressure helps carry oxygen and nutrients around your body and naturally goes up and down, especially when you’re active.
High blood pressure means your heart has to work harder to pump blood. But over time, constant high levels can make your blood vessels stiff or narrow, making it easier for fatty build-up to occur.
Most people with high blood pressure don’t notice any symptoms and may not know they have it. But if the blood vessels to your heart or brain become blocked or damaged, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
What are the signs of high blood pressure?
Despite it being rare to show signs, it’s worth knowing them just in case. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), symptoms can include:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
In further advice, NHS inform also notes: “There needs to be a certain level of pressure in the arteries to move blood around the body. But, if blood pressure is higher than recommended over time it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke or heart attack.
“High blood pressure (or hypertension) is usually diagnosed if your blood pressure is regularly above 140/90 mmHg.”
What causes high blood pressure?
NHS Inform says that high blood pressure often has no symptoms. It also notes “in rare cases, high blood pressure may cause symptoms”.
Regardless, it’s wise to get checked out asap if you are worried or you think you have it.
You may be more at risk from high blood pressure if you:
- eat a high-fat diet
- eat a high-salt diet
- don’t exercise
- are overweight
- smoke
- drink too much alcohol
- are stressed
- take some recreational drugs
- are older – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- have a family history of high blood pressure
- are of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
It further notes that for some people, high blood pressure could be caused by:
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- hormonal conditions – like Cushing’s syndrome (when the body produces too many steroid hormones)
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- some herbal remedies
- some medications like oral contraceptives
It adds: “About 1 in 10 women have high blood pressure during pregnancy. This might have been diagnosed before becoming pregnant or diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy.”
Lifestyle changes that can lower your risk of high blood pressure
If it’s left untreated, high blood pressure can cause problems including:
- stroke
- heart attack
- arterial thrombosis
- abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
- kidney disease
- vascular dementia
To lower your risk of high blood pressure, stay physically active with regular exercise and aim to maintain a healthy weight. You should eat a balanced, low-fat diet, cut down on salt, and limit alcohol and caffeine.
Managing stress also helps, so consider relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. “Do not take recreational drugs”, the NHS warns.
Always seek help from a medical professional if you are worried about your health.
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