Hypertension Symptoms & Warning Signs

Symptoms

For most cases of mild to moderate hypertension, there are no symptoms. In fact, some people have nicknamed hypertension the "silent killer" since the disease shows no symptoms until it progresses to a stage where permanent damage such as heart attacks and strokes can occur.

Some people with mild to moderate hypertension experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, you should visit a doctor immediately to determine whether the cause is hypertension or another medical condition.

A doctor will be able to tell whether your blood pressure is high by using a standard blood pressure monitoring test. If your high blood pressure is chronic, it is likely that you suffer from hypertension. Over time, even moderate hypertension can cause enduring problems, stroke, and hypertension.

Severe cases of hypertension cause symptoms of painful headaches, confusion, hallucinations, vision problems, nausea, and vomiting.

Infants and children with hypertension may show similar or different symptoms. Children and newborns may experience seizures, lethargy, and respiratory problems. They may also seem irritable. Children might experience headaches, fatigue, and vision problems.

For some adults, infants, and children, hypertension may result from an underlying cause such as diabetes or Cushing's syndrome. Generally, these conditions produce additional symptoms that are unique to the specific disorder.

Warning Signs

If you have a family history of hypertension or high blood pressure, it is important that you pay attention to your blood pressure tests. If your blood pressure is repeatedly high, you may have hypertension. You may not notice other symptoms, so make sure that you pay close attention the reasons why your blood pressure might be high.

If you have recurring headaches, you should have your blood pressure monitored regularly to make sure that your blood pressure is not elevated or fluctuating. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and intense headaches are symptoms of other underlying conditions such as a thyroid or hormone disorder. Symptoms of extremely high blood pressure may lead to more serious problems such as seizures, convulsions, and blindness.

Hypertension could also be a warning sign of more serious underlying conditions. It is recommended that patients follow up on their blood pressure tests with blood tests and other routine physical exams.