Signs & Symptoms of Controllable Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, often creates no symptoms until it has caused substantial damage to the heart or kidneys, earning it the name "the silent killer." Many of the symptoms of controllable hypertension are also symptoms of a wide range of other ailments. Fortunately, hypertension is extremely easy to diagnose with a basic blood pressure meter, so people suffering from controllable hypertension can easily keep an eye on their condition.

Headaches

• Hypertension headaches tend to be "hairband headaches," or headaches whose pain is evenly distributed around the perimeter of the head, although some people experience hypertension headaches behind their eyes or in the back of their heads. They are generally most severe in the morning, and fade during the course of the day.

  Attributing headaches to high blood pressure can be tricky because hypertensive headaches vary considerably, with many high blood pressure patients experiencing no headaches at all. In addition, headaches may not be attributable directly to high blood pressure, but rather to stress, which can also contribute to hypertension.

Dizziness

• As with headaches, dizziness is not necessarily a conclusive symptom of controllable hypertension, because it does not occur in all high blood pressure patients, and many patients experience no dizziness at all. In addition, dizziness is just as likely to be a symptom of low pressure as of high blood pressure. Changes in blood pressure are especially likely to cause dizziness, so hypertension patients who start to take medication are particularly prone to feeling dizzy. In general, if you are experiencing dizziness, it is a good idea to check your blood pressure, and also to consider these symptoms in conjunction with other symptoms you are experiencing.

Palpitations

• Some people who suffer from controllable hypertension experience heart palpitations, or the sensation that their hearts are racing. High blood pressure is a constriction of the arteries, as they try to increase blood flow. Palpitations occur when the heart increases its contractions in order to restore adequate blood flow. As with headaches, palpitations can also be a result of nervousness and anxiety, which can contribute to hypertension as well. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, can help to control both hypertension and heart palpitations.