Doctors Reveal Key Symptoms You Should Never Overlook

Blood pressure is a vital indicator of health, reflecting the force your blood needs to move through your arteries. While it naturally varies throughout the day, a “normal” reading is generally considered to be below 120/80 mm Hg. When blood pressure consistently exceeds this level, it is identified as hypertension, a condition that can increase the risk of severe health issues such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, and kidney disease.

Hypertension is often symptomless, silently impacting critical organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys. Therefore, regular monitoring, ideally at home, is essential. Recognizing the subtle signs of high blood pressure can be life-saving. “It’s important not to ignore them,” emphasizes Snehal Smart, MD, a physician and medical researcher.

Doctors have highlighted five key “silent” symptoms that may indicate hypertension. One such sign is frequent morning headaches. Martina Ambardjieva, MD, PhD, a urologist, explains that this occurs because blood pressure naturally rises in the morning due to hormone release. “Elevated blood pressure can increase intracranial pressure, leading to dull, persistent headaches that are often most noticeable after waking up,” she notes.

Changes in eyesight can also be a warning sign. If you experience blurred or double vision, it might be time to consult both your ophthalmologist and general practitioner. “Hypertension may damage the small vessels in the eyes, resulting in blurred or double vision—a sign of hypertensive retinopathy,” says Ambardjieva. Smart warns that this condition can lead to impaired vision or even “complete vision loss.”

Fatigue is another symptom that, while nonspecific, could be linked to high blood pressure, particularly if accompanied by other hypertension signs. “Sustained high blood pressure can impair blood flow to the brain, leading to mental fatigue, fogginess, or difficulty concentrating,” Ambardjieva explains. These neurological changes can also elevate the risk of stroke, according to Smart.

Shortness of breath, chest pain, or discomfort may also indicate rising blood pressure levels, potentially pointing to pulmonary hypertension, which affects the arteries between the heart and lungs. “These symptoms could indicate that high blood pressure is placing strain on the heart or lungs, especially in more advanced or unmanaged cases,” Ambardjieva advises.

By staying vigilant for these subtle symptoms, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their blood pressure and protect their long-term health. Regular check-ups and timely medical consultations are crucial in addressing this silent threat.

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