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Do Headaches Cause Hypertension?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a serious condition that can have dangerous consequences. Headaches, though painful and debilitating at times, are not necessarily a serious condition. Most people have headaches that occur on occasion, and for some, chronically. Headaches can indicate stress, a lack of sleep, hunger or hormonal changes. Many people believe that headaches can cause hypertension, though this has not been medically proven.

  1. Hypertension

    • For an adult, a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high. Both the systolic and diastolic (top and bottom) numbers are important. A headache can in some cases be a symptom of high blood pressure, though often no symptoms exist. When a headache is a symptom, other symptoms may be present.

    Misconceptions

    • A common misconception is that hypertension can be caused by headaches. Hypertension is not a result of headaches, just as a headache cannot effectively indicate hypertension. According to the American Heart Association, in 90--95 percent of cases, scientists don't know what causes high blood pressure. There are, however, risk factors that can contribute to the condition. Such factors include: age and sex, family history, ethnicity, diet, and weight.

    Risk Factors

    • While headaches do not appear to put you at risk for hypertension, other risks do exist. The risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you age. With women, it is believed that estrogen has a protective role in blood pressure, and therefore is more likely to occur with age, as the estrogen declines. In addition, family history can be an indicator of high blood pressure, as the condition can be common among family members. People of African American ethnicity also have a tendency toward hypertension, though the reason is uncertain. Obesity is another factor that may improve the risk of hypertension, and those with a high sodium diet are also more susceptible. These factors are not related to headaches.

    Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, an individual experiencing an urgent hypertensive crisis may experience an extreme headache as a symptom. Other symptoms include: severe anxiety and shortness of breath. These warning signs should be followed up with medical treatment as a hypertensive crisis could lead to the heart attack, stroke, eclampsia (in pregnant women) aortic dissention, and brain swelling or bleeding.

    Warning

    • Having blood pressure checked regularly is advised, especially for individuals with the risk factors for hypertension. For those who have been diagnosed with the condition, it is important to note that treatments are available. Lifestyle modifications, changes to the diet, and medications can help control hypertension.

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