Blood pressure monitors are not carried everywhere by most people. Your nearest blood pressure device may be far away. Yahoo!Life talked to several doctors to present the five signs that may point to your blood pressure being out of control.
Headaches
High blood pressure can cause headaches. “If you have a sudden, intense headache that’s significantly worse than usual and your blood pressure is elevated, you should seek medical attention,” says cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD. “Another thing to remember about headaches and blood pressure is that it’s not always the blood pressure that causes a headache. It could be the other way around. Sometimes, it’s a chicken and the egg scenario. We don’t know which comes first. Headaches can cause an elevation in blood pressure.”
Shortness of breath
A common symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath. “That is the most common presenting symptom,” says Vallerie McLaughlin, MD, director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center. “[It’s because] the right side of the heart is having trouble pushing blood flow through the lungs – and it’s not getting to the left side of the heart and body. It puts strain on the right side of the heart, which is not used to pushing against the high pressure.”
Anxiety
There is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure, according to experts. “Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension),” says Sheldon G. Sheps, MD. “But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure. If those temporary spikes occur frequently, such as every day, they can cause damage to blood vessels, the heart and kidneys, as can chronic high blood pressure.”
Nosebleeds
“High blood pressure is not usually a direct cause of nosebleeds, but some research links the two,” says Dr. Andrew Yocum, M.D. “One study found that, compared to people with normal blood pressure, those who have hypertensive blood pressure, have a greater risk of nosebleeds that may require medical attention. Another study suggested that hypertension is not usually the cause of a bloody nose, but it can make nosebleeds harder to control.”
Nausea and vomiting
Blood pressure spikes can cause nausea and vomiting, doctors say. “If you get a very high blood pressure reading at home and don’t have any symptoms, relax for a few minutes,” says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD. “Then check your blood pressure again. If it’s still very high, seek medical care. Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.”
