High blood pressure is a public health concern globally because it affects millions of people and a lot of people can live with hypertension for months or years unknowingly. It’s often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can go unnoticed for years without any visible symptoms.
Just because it may not always have noticeable symptoms, does not mean that high blood pressure is not a serious condition. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues like organ failure and other heart diseases.
In this blog article, we will explore the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, which essentially describe how you feel when your blood pressure is high.
So, how do you feel when your blood pressure is high? Well, some of the things that you might experience include shortness of breath, headache, lightheadedness, fatigue, and blurry vision.
By understanding more about high blood pressure, you can take control of your health and reduce your risk of developing serious health complications.
In this article we will address the following:
- Understanding blood pressure
- Different ranges for blood pressure and what they mean
- How do you feel when your blood pressure is high?
- How should I keep track of my blood pressure?
- How to prevent high blood pressure disease
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is essentially the force that our hearts use to pump blood around the body. You can determine your blood pressure by using a blood pressure measuring tool (sphygmomanometer).
When using a sphygmomanometer, you will observe two main readings; the systolic (top number) and diastolic pressure (bottom number). It is also important to note that blood pressure is measured in mmHg, which is essentially millimeters of mercury.
The systolic blood pressure reading on your sphygmomanometer is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts or rather the maximum pressure that is exerted on the arteries when blood is pumped, while the diastolic blood pressure reading is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
Different Ranges for Blood Pressure and What They Mean
Several blood pressure ranges are used to assess a person’s risk of blood pressure-related health issues according to the American Heart Association:
Normal range: Normal blood pressure is typically defined as having a systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg.
The ideal blood pressure is considered to be between a systolic pressure of between 90 to 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of between 60 to 80 mmHg.
That means that a reading of 100/70mmHg or something like 90/65mmHg is perfectly normal for most adults.
Elevated or Prehypertension: This is defined as a systolic pressure between 120-129 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg.
Hypertension or high blood pressure (Stage 1): This is generally defined as a constant systolic pressure of between 130 and 139 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure (Stage 2): This means having a consistent systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher than that and a diastolic blood pressure that is 90 mmHg or higher.
Hypertensive crisis: This is generally defined as a systolic pressure of 180 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 120 mmHg or higher. This requires immediate medical attention, especially if after measuring the blood pressure after five minutes you notice that the reading is still high.
NOTE: Prior to a hypertension diagnosis, your blood pressure should be assessed several times to determine whether it is constantly high as there are numerous factors such as activities like walking or running and receiving shocking news that can influence your blood pressure.
However, if you notice that your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mmHg, you should seek immediate medical attention, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and changes in vision.
Here is a table illustrating the different blood pressure readings discussed above:
BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY | SYSTOLIC (UPPER NUMBER) mmHg | AND/OR | DIASTOLIC (LOWER NUMBER) mmHg |
| NORMAL | Less than 120 | and | Less than 80 |
| ELEVATED | 120-129 | and | less than 80 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/ HYPERTENSION (stage 1) | 130-139 | or | 80-89 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/HYPERTENSION (stage 2) | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (consult your doctor immediately) | Higher than 180 | and/or | higher than 120 |
How Do You Feel When Your Blood Pressure is High?
When your blood pressure is high, you are likely to experience certain symptoms. Here are 9 warning signs that you might experience:
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath/ Difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness/Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Pronounced heart palpitations
- Anxiety
- Nose bleeding
Note: It is important to note that the severity of these symptoms will differ from one person to another.
Additionally, you might not experience all the symptoms listed above. It is recommended to check your blood pressure at home if you have a sphygmomanometer to determine whether your blood pressure is high.
If your blood pressure is not high and you experience these signs and symptoms, it is advisable to visit a healthcare facility for assessment to help you find out what could be the cause. You will only be certain that your blood pressure is high after an assessment.
How Should I Keep Track of My Blood Pressure?
You can monitor your blood pressure at home using a sphygmomanometer or ask someone to assist you.
If you do not have a sphygmomanometer, you can have your blood pressure assessed at a healthcare facility near you.
Things to remember when using your sphygmomanometer:
- Be still
- Sit with your back straight and supported
- Support your arm on a flat surface
- Take two to three readings for accuracy (with an interval of a few minutes)
- Record the results daily
- Don’t place the sphygmomanometer over clothing when assessing your blood pressure
- Don’t smoke, exercise, or drink coffee 30 minutes before checking your blood pressure
Recommended Blood Pressure Monitor for your personal use:
If you are looking for an affordable blood pressure monitor (aka sphygmomanometer) that you can use at home, check out the Omron HEM 7143T1 Digital Bluetooth Blood Pressure Monitor on Amazon.
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure Disease?
Some of the approaches that you can take to prevent the risks of high blood pressure disease include:
- Eating healthy meals: Reducing intake of fast foods and opting for healthy options
- Exercising regularly: A 30 to 45 minutes exercise or physical activity can be effective in promoting good health.
- Not smoking or quitting smoking
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol intake
- Getting enough sleep
- Weight management
Most of the prevention techniques mentioned above are effective in preventing both hypertension and other conditions like heart diseases and obesity that place people at risk of developing hypertension. Understanding the factors that affect blood pressure is essential in hypertension prevention.