Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious condition that can cause a variety of health problems. But this chronic disease is often overlooked, and the symptoms are not always apparent. That makes diagnosing difficult, and without a diagnosis, there won’t be a treatment. Not treating hypertension can lead to cardiovascular complications such as heart attack and stroke.

In this article, we’ll take a look at common signs and symptoms of hypertension and what you can do to treat it.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious medical condition affecting millions worldwide. It is caused by several factors, such as lifestyle, diet, and genetics, and it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health complications.

Many things, including arterial stiffness in older adults, atherosclerosis, hormonal imbalances, or kidney insufficiency, can cause hypertension. However, blood pressure changes according to our physical activity, so it is normal to get a higher blood pressure reading when exercising.

Is Hypertension detected by signs and symptoms?

Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are often missed or overlooked, leading to potential problems and severe health risks. The disease is often asymptomatic in the initial stage and only becomes symptomatic when it has already damaged organs in the body. Fortunately, there are ways to identify and manage hypertension to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Thus, relying only on signs and symptoms is not a good idea. If we do that, we would think that everything is normal and may even leave treatment when we need it the most.

Signs and symptoms of Hypertension

1) High blood pressure readings

The most reliable sign of hypertension is high blood pressure, which is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher are considered to be increased.

This is a sign because the doctor in their office measures it. However, not all patients have a reliable way to measure their own blood pressure readings. And even if you can do it, it is recommended to confirm with a doctor.