Silent and sneaky high blood pressure affects about 30% of the adult population worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Known as high blood pressure, it is a high risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks and strokes.
The problem, however, is that high blood pressure is often not noticed except by frequent measurement of blood pressure.
When the body starts giving out the signs, you have already developed the problem.
According to experts, there are no symptoms of high blood pressure.
All the things you feel are caused by the damage to the organs.
However, there is an exception: the sudden rise in blood pressure.
When these spikes occur, we have some specific symptoms that need prompt treatment to avoid the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Do you know what are the signs of high blood pressure or a sudden increase in blood pressure?
Watch for these signs because they can indicate a hypertensive crisis: dizziness, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, ringing in the ears, blurry vision, neck pain, nausea, and vomiting.
These symptoms usually appear when the disease is advanced, so it is best to see a doctor whenever your blood pressure is equal to or greater than 13/8, especially for no apparent reason.
These signs are due to what we call ‘target organ damage’.
Experts explain that shortness of breath and chest pain are caused by left ventricular hypertrophy and a decrease in coronary circulation, which can progress to arrhythmias, acute pulmonary edema, heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction.
Headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision are associated with physiological constriction of the large cerebral vessels in response to increased blood pressure and fluid hemorrhage, leading to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Don’t ignore these symptoms when you notice them, as early diagnosis is key.
The earlier you are diagnosed, the fewer infections you will have.
What do you do when you feel sick because of high blood pressure?
The best thing to do if you are dealing with an acute crisis or a chronic problem affecting target organs is to stay calm and seek medical help as soon as you notice any symptoms.
Your doctor will likely order some tests, such as blood and kidney tests and an EKG, to find out why your blood pressure is high.
Don’t make things easy for high blood pressure. The better you take care of yourself, and the sooner you get a diagnosis, the better your quality of life will be during treatment.
The best way to prevent high blood pressure is to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Eat a balanced diet with moderate salt consumption, avoid being overweight, exercise regularly (3 to 5 days a week), and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.