Blood pressure measures how strongly blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps.
When it stays within a healthy range, your organs receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. If it becomes too high, it can slowly damage the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, affects millions of people around the world. It often develops without any obvious symptoms, which is why it is known as the ‘silent killer’.
Many people do not realise they have it until it has already caused serious health problems.
Over time, untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney disease, and other life-threatening conditions. Regular blood pressure checks are important because they can detect the problem before symptoms appear.
In some situations, blood pressure rises to an extremely dangerous level. This is called a hypertensive crisis and usually means a blood pressure reading above 180/120 mmHg. At this point, vital organs can be damaged very quickly, so immediate medical care is needed.
Unlike ordinary high blood pressure, a hypertensive crisis often causes warning signs. One of the most common is a sudden, severe headache that feels much worse than a normal headache. It may come on quickly and be accompanied by other symptoms.
Chest pain or a feeling of heavy pressure in the chest is another serious warning sign. This may happen because the heart is struggling to get enough oxygen-rich blood. It should always be treated as a medical emergency.
Some people become short of breath, even while resting or doing very little activity. Others may develop blurred vision, double vision, or temporary loss of sight because very high blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes.
Nosebleeds that are difficult to stop can sometimes occur, especially when combined with other symptoms. Some people also feel intense anxiety, nausea, or vomiting as their body reacts to the dangerously high blood pressure.
If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms together with very high blood pressure, call emergency medical services immediately. Fast treatment can reduce the risk of permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs.
The good news is that many cases of high blood pressure can be prevented or controlled. Eating a healthy diet, reducing salt, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and taking prescribed medicines can all help keep blood pressure under control.
Because hypertension often causes no symptoms, regular health checks remain one of the best ways to protect yourself. Knowing the warning signs of a hypertensive crisis and acting quickly could save a life. Small healthy habits today can help protect your heart and overall health for many years.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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