Is Your Headache or Fatigue a Sign of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?

Is Your Headache or Fatigue a Sign of Hypertension? – Hypertension is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently high. High blood pressure does not show symptoms. Long – term high blood pressure, however, is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, vision loss, chronic kidney disease. For most adults, normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100-130 mmHg Systolic and 60-80 mmHg Diastolic. For most adults, High Blood Pressure is present if the resting blood pressure is at or above 130/80 or 140/90 mmHg. About 90-95% of cases are primary.We have many common symptoms of hypertension like nausea, vomiting, headache. From all these we can find out whether we have the problem of hypertension or not.

Types Of Hypertension:

1. Primary Hypertension. It has no single known cause but several mechanism are linked to altered pathways in BP control. These are genetic factors, diet especially increased salt intake, obesity, stress and sedentary lifestyle. Also known as “Silent Killer” because do not show symptoms.
2. Secondary Hypertension. It is a high blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition. It can be caused by conditions that affect the Kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.

Common Symptoms Of Hypertension:

Usually Hypertension has no specific signs or symptoms, even if your blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels symptoms can include:

1. Headache
2. Dizziness
3. Nausea
4. Ringing in the ears
5. Fatigue and Confusion
6. Vomiting
7. Sensation of seeing little lights
8. Difficulty Breathing

Are Headaches a Sign of High Blood Pressure?

A severe headache be a sign of high blood Pressure, generally high blood pressure has no symptoms. When your blood pressure has reached dangerously high levels (180/120 mmHg or higher), symptoms like chest pain, breathing shortage require immediate medical attention.

Fatigue and Hypertension:

If you’re wondering is your headache or fatigue a sign of hypertension yes there is a link between fatigue and hypertension. There are various factors that can create link between fatigue and hypertension.

1. Kidney damage
2. Poor blood flow or Heart Strain
3. Medication for hypertension as a cause of fatigue (e.g., beta-blockers)

Other Possible Causes of Headache and Fatigue

1. Stress
2. Dehydration
3. Poor sleep
4. Migraines
5. Depression

What You Should Do?

• Monitor blood pressure regularly
• Consult a healthcare provider.
• By living a healthy lifestyle, blood pressure can be kept in a healthy range and risk for heart disease and stroke can be lowered. A healthy lifestyle include:
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Getting enough physical activity.
  • No smoking.
  • Limiting alcohol use.
• Healthy Diet. Eating healthful food and snacks can help in avoiding high blood pressure and its complications. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in food.
• Healthy Weight. Obesity also increases the risk for high blood pressure. To determine if weight is in a healthy range, doctors often calculate body mass index .
• Physical Activity. Physical activity can maintain a healthy weight and lower the blood pressure. For Adults, the doctors recommended 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.
• No Smoking. Cigarette smoking raises the blood pressure and cause a high risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Limited Alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol should be avoided as it raise the blood pressure. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day, and women only 1 drink.

READ MORE:What are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? | American Heart Association

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