What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure affects millions of adults, yet many people have it for years without knowing. Because there are rarely obvious signs of high blood pressure, it’s easy to skip checkups and assume all is well. 

In most cases, high blood pressure causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include severe headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, blurred vision, or chest pain. 

At Lawrence Family Practice Center in Lawrence, KS, our family physicians help patients of all ages understand and manage their blood pressure. Call today to schedule an appointment and check yours. 

What high blood pressure does to your body 

Blood pressure measures how hard blood pushes against your artery walls as your heart pumps. The top number shows the pressure when your heart beats, and the bottom number shows the pressure between beats. A reading of 130/80 or higher on a regular basis is considered high. Over time, that extra force can damage blood vessels and make your heart work harder than it should. 

Left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart issues. Common causes include a high-sodium diet, lack of exercise, stress, smoking, heavy drinking, and family history. Age and conditions like kidney or thyroid disease can also play a role. 

Symptoms of hypertension to watch for 

Most people never notice signs of high blood pressure, which is why regular checks are so important. When symptoms of hypertension do show up, they’re often linked to very high readings. These can include:  

• Severe headaches: A pounding headache, often at the back of the head, can happen when pressure spikes 
• Shortness of breath: Feeling winded during light activity may point to heart issues caused by long-term high pressure 
• Nosebleeds: Frequent or hard-to-stop nosebleeds are sometimes linked to very high blood pressure 
• Blurred vision: High pressure can affect the tiny blood vessels in your eyes 
• Chest pain: Tightness or pain in the chest is a warning sign that should never be ignored 

How hypertension treatment works 

Whether or not you’ve noticed symptoms of hypertension, the first step is a simple blood pressure check using an inflatable cuff around your arm. Because one reading doesn’t tell the whole story, you may be asked to track your numbers at home for a few weeks. Our physicians will also review your health history and may order blood work to look for underlying causes. 

For many patients, hypertension treatment begins with lifestyle changes. Eating less salt, staying active, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and managing stress can lower your numbers. Even small drops in blood pressure decrease your risk of stroke. If your numbers stay high, medication may be added to your plan. Regular follow-up visits at our office help keep your treatment on track. 

Get your blood pressure checked in Lawrence, KS 

Since high blood pressure is often silent, routine checkups are one of the best ways to lower your risk of stroke. Knowing the signs of high blood pressure is helpful, but regular readings matter even more. At Lawrence Family Practice Center, our team provides personalized hypertension treatment in Lawrence, KS, based on your health and goals. Managing your numbers now can help you avoid heart issues down the road. Call today to book your visit.