A cardiologist has shared a list of the seven most common signs and symptoms that you may have a high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is very common health problem, especially in older adults. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as your brain, kidneys and eyes. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
While there are ways to minimise your risks of having a high blood pressure, such as being fit and exercising regularly, it can also be caused by genetics or old age.
To help people look for the signs of high blood pressure, cardiologist Dr Evan Levine has shared some common signs and symptoms that could indicated you have a high blood pressure.
"So what are the most common symptoms of hypertension? I am Dr Evan Levine, a board certified cardiologist," he introduced the TikTok video.
So what are the most common symptoms? Dr Levine shared a list of the seven most common symptoms that you should keep an eye on.
1. Headaches
"Number one is a headache," Dr Levine said. "It can be across the [fore]head or in the back."
Headaches can sometimes be a symptom a hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency where blood pressure is dangerously high. The headaches are usually described as a dull, pressing sensation on both sides of the head, sometimes extending from the back of the head and neck to the front, according to the NHS.
2. Blurred vision
He then went on to the second symptom on his list, saying: "Blurred vision is another very common symptom."
People with high blood pressure are at a higher risk of developing Blood vessel damage, also known as hypertensive retinopathy, which occurs when there's damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, according to the American Heart Association.
Blurred vision can also happen from choroidopathy, when there's a build-up of fluid under the retina creates distorted vision or scars that harm vision, or from nerve damage in the eye. Both of these things can be caused from a high blood pressure.
3. Shortness of breath
Dr Levine then shared: "Number three is shortness of breath, usually when you're walking, but if it gets really severe you can get short of breath even at rest."
High blood pressure, specifically pulmonary hypertension, can cause shortness of breath because it increases the workload on the heart, making it harder to pump blood to the lungs, according to the NHS. This is known as Pulmonary hypertension.
4. Chest pain
"Number four is chest pains, almost like angina when we're walking because the heart is working too hard," Dr Levine revealed.
Having chest pains while also having a high blood pressure may be a sign of angina or other heart problems. If you experience sudden or persistent chest pain, especially if it feels like squeezing, pressure, or tightness, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention, according to NHS guidelines.
5. Nose bleeds
The next symptom may surprise some that it can be caused by high blood pressure, but Dr Levine goes on to say that nose bleeds can be another symptom.
"Some people say nosebleeds, we call it epistaxis," he explained. "Some people don't believe in that."
While most experts believe that hypertension alone doesn't cause nosebleeds unless your blood pressure is extremely high, it can damage the blood vessels inside your nose, making bleeding more likely.
However, according to Healthline, research shows that chronic high blood pressure raises your risk of nosebleeds.
6. Frothy urine
"And number six is frothy urine," he explained. "It's frothy because you're spilling protein when you go to the bathroom and you notice that."
If you have a long-term problem of hypertension and don't manage it properly, it can cause damage the kidneys' filtering mechanisms, leading to protein leaking into the urine, according to the Mayo Clinic.
7. Nothing
"The number one symptom of hypertension, the most common symptom by far that everyone should know about is nothing," he said. "That's right, that's what we call the silent killer. So you need to get your blood pressure checked at least annually.
"Now if you can't afford to see your physician, well, check it at home. Get an Omron blood pressure cuff on Amazon, watch a YouTube video before, and share the cuff with you friends and family."
He went on to say: "Remember, the most common symptom of hypertension is nothing. You don't want to present with heart failure, a stroke, or a heart attack because you didn't check your blood pressure."
If you think you may have a high blood pressure or are at risk of having it, the NHS recommends contacting your GP or having your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy. Call 999 if you get sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away, or if you have chest pain and you feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath.
