High blood pressure – often dubbed the “silent killer” – is a condition that many people walk around with unknowingly.
But your body might already be sending signals that something is off. Here are some signs that could indicate your blood pressure is too high – don’t miss them.
Frequent or severe headaches
Persistent headaches, especially in the morning or those that feel like pressure in the back of your head, could be your body’s way of alerting you to high blood pressure.
When pressure in your blood vessels increases, it can affect the pressure inside your skull, resulting in pain that shouldn’t be ignored.
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Dizziness or light-headedness
Feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning can occur when blood pressure affects circulation to the brain.
If you frequently experience light-headedness or feel like you’re about to faint, it could be a warning sign that your blood pressure is not under control.
Shortness of breath with light activity
If you get winded from walking up stairs or mild exertion, it might be more than just poor fitness.
High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, and this extra effort can cause breathlessness even during simple daily tasks.
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Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
A racing or irregular heartbeat can be a reaction to elevated blood pressure. You might feel your heart pounding unexpectedly while sitting still or relaxing.
If this happens often, it’s time to check your blood pressure and seek advice.
Chest pain or pressure
Chest discomfort – whether it feels like tightness, pressure, or actual pain – should always be taken seriously.
When blood pressure is high, it puts stress on your heart and arteries. This can lead to chest symptoms that should be medically evaluated immediately.
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Blurred vision or visual disturbances
Your eyes can reveal a lot about your blood pressure.
Blurred vision, flickering lights, or sudden loss of focus may be caused by high blood pressure damaging the small blood vessels in the retina – a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy.
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Persistent ringing or pulsing sounds in your ears might be more than annoying – it could be related to high blood pressure.
The increased pressure in the blood vessels can create a sound that matches your heartbeat, and if it’s happening regularly, it’s time to get your blood pressure checked.
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Unexplained nosebleeds
Getting a nosebleed for no clear reason, especially if it happens often, can be a sign that your blood vessels are under stress.
High blood pressure weakens the small vessels in your nose, making them more prone to break and bleed without provocation.
A mix of vague, recurring symptoms
One headache or one dizzy spell doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure.
But if several of these symptoms appear together or frequently, your body could be trying to tell you something important. Don’t brush them off – act on them.
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Know your risk factors
Even without symptoms, you might still be at risk.
Lifestyle choices like smoking, poor diet, inactivity, excess alcohol, stress, and being overweight all contribute to high blood pressure.
The more risk factors you have, the more important it is to monitor your numbers regularly.
The article is based on information from Magasinethelse.dk.