High blood pressure is a rather unique condition because, unlike most diseases, it has no identifying symptoms. For this reason, blood pressure is commonly referred to as “the silent killer.” While having a cold will make your nose stuffy, and heart problems may make you weak or cause pain, high blood pressure can exist for years without any noticeable signs. People with high blood pressure typically continue their normal lives unaware that there is anything wrong.
High Blood Pressure is Often Found Incidentally
For most people, the first time they discover their high blood pressure is during a routine visit to their doctor’s office for an unrelated complaint or a regularly scheduled health maintenance appointment. Another common time for diagnosis is during a woman’s first prenatal visit during pregnancy. Since most first time mothers tend to be young, regular visits to the doctor aren’t a priority until they become pregnant, leading to an uncharacteristically high rate of diagnosis in this patient population.
High Blood Pressure can Manifest as Other Problems
High blood pressure can cause symptoms via other organ systems. For example, high blood pressure damages blood vessels, and can lead to dangerous complications such as heart attack and stroke. This damage may, in turn, cause symptoms that are serious enough that people make a visit to a doctor to have them checked out. When high blood pressure manifests this way it can present as
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Low exercise tolerance
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Episodes of confusion
- Tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest or arms
Everyone Should Have their Blood Pressure Checked
Because high blood pressure can exist silently for many years, it is important that everyone have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, even children, and the disease can cause serious problems if not treated appropriately.
If you have never had your blood pressure checked, or can’t remember what your blood pressure is, then you should call and make an appointment to see your doctor. Even those without a dedicated primary care doctor can have their blood pressure checked inexpensively at a walk in clinic.
Related: What is High Blood Pressure? | High Blood Pressure Treatment
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