Warning signs of high blood pressure you need to know
High blood pressure is the cause of heart attacks, strokes, and even death, but the disease has almost no recognizable signs. Therefore, it is also called "the silent killer".
According to doctors at Tuyen Quang General Hospital, the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is through regular blood pressure checks. This is especially important if you have relatives who also have high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is high, you may notice some of the following signs:
- Headache.
- Nosebleed.
- Blood in the eye or conjunctival hemorrhage.
- Numbness or tingling of the limbs.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Heart attack.
Many people may have high blood pressure without knowing it. Photo: N. Phuong
Additionally, blood pressure can increase without any symptoms. Likewise, according toMayo ClinicMost people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even when blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms.
Some people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. However, these symptoms are not specific. They usually do not occur until high blood pressure reaches a severe or life-threatening stage.
Therefore, doctors recommend that when seeing any of the above signs, especially accompanied by high blood pressure, the patient should stay calm, lie down or sit in a quiet place, avoid moving around and changing positions suddenly.
At the same time, you should not use any medicine on your own, you should go to a medical facility for examination soon, while waiting you can measure your blood pressure again after 15-30 minutes.
When should you see a doctor?
Checking your blood pressure is an important part of your overall health care. How often you should check your blood pressure depends on your age and overall health. Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. If you are 40 or older or 18 to 39 and are at high risk for high blood pressure, have your blood pressure checked every year.
Your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure checked more often if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease. Children age 3 and older can have their blood pressure checked as part of their annual checkups.
Who is at risk for high blood pressure?
High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:
- Year old:The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. Up until about age 64, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to have high blood pressure after age 65.
- Family history:You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you have a parent or sibling with the condition.
- Obesity or overweight:Excess weight causes changes in blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. These changes often increase blood pressure. Being overweight or obese also increases the risk of heart disease and its risk factors, such as high cholesterol.
- Lack of exercise:Not exercising can cause weight gain. Extra weight increases the risk of high blood pressure. Inactive people also tend to have higher heart rates.
- Using traditional cigarettes or electronic cigarettes:Smoking immediately increases blood pressure in a short period of time. Smoking also damages blood vessel walls and accelerates the process of hardening of the arteries.
- Too much salt:Too much salt in the body can cause the body to retain water. This increases blood pressure.
- Low potassium levels:Potassium helps balance the amount of salt in your body's cells. A proper balance of potassium is important for good heart health. Low potassium levels can be caused by a diet lacking in potassium or by certain health conditions, including dehydration.
- Drinking too much alcohol:Alcohol use is linked to increased blood pressure, especially in men.
- Stress: High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits such as overeating, smoking, or drinking alcohol can further increase blood pressure.
- Some chronic diseases:Kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea are some conditions that can lead to high blood pressure.
- Pregnancy:Sometimes pregnancy causes high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is most common in adults. But children can also have high blood pressure. High blood pressure in children can be caused by kidney or heart problems. However, more and more children today have high blood pressure due to lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise./.
