Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. Blood pressure is the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the resistance to this flow in your arteries. The harder your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Ideal blood pressure stays below 120mm of Hg for the systolic and over 80mm of Hg for the diastolic. We have put together a list of common signs and symptoms for hypertension below.
Also, we have information on diagnosis, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.
The Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension are as follows:
- Frequent headaches
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Heart palpitations
- Red streaks in your eyes
- Great fatigue
- Depression
- Kidney malfunction
- Respiratory problems
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Swollen ankles
Many people with hypertension have no signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, even if their blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. Hypertension, if left untreated, can lead to heart attack or stroke. It accelerates hardening of the arteries, damages the heart and blood vessels and speeds up the aging process of the brain.
Diagnosis of Hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed by using a blood pressure cuff and measuring the systolic pressure (the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats) and the diastolic pressure (the pressure in your arteries between beats). After age 50, the systolic measurement becomes even more important – many people have a normal diastolic pressure and a high systolic pressure. High blood pressure affects one in three adults in the U.S.today.
Books for People With Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension
| What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Hypertension: The Revolutionary Nutrition and Lifestyle Program to Help Fight High Blood Pressure (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About…) Barry Fox |
Reversing Hypertension: A Vital New Program to Prevent, Treat, and Reduce High Blood Pressure Julian M. Whitaker |
|
The Heartmath Approach to Managing Hypertension: The Proven, Natural Way to Lower Your Blood Pressure |
Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure (Harvard Medical School Guides) Herbert Benson |
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Resources
General Patient Resources
- American Heart Association
Our downloadable patient information sheets offer a question-and-answer format that’s brief, easy to follow and easy to read.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/HighBloodPressureToolsResources/High-Blood-Pressure-Resources-in-Print_UCM_303470_Article.jsp
- E Health Forum
Welcome to the High Blood Pressure and Hypertension Forum – a health community featuring member and doctor discussions ranging from a specific symptom to related conditions, treatment options, medication, side effects, diet, and emotional issues surrounding medical conditions.
http://ehealthforum.com/health/high_blood_pressure_symptoms.html
- Med Help
Listed below are our archive of questions and answers from The Heart Forum for the medical topic: Hypertension. Please feel free to browse our hypertension archive below.
http://www.medhelp.org/win/forums/cardio/archive/Hypertension1.html
Medical Resources
- Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypertension.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100
- Medline Plus
A service of the US National Library of Medicine.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000468.htm
- Medicine Net. Com
Learn about high blood pressure symptoms like headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, blurred vision and more. Causes, and normal blood pressure information is included.
http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/article.htm