Heart Health High Blood Pressure Living With Hypertension Guide Hypertension Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Hypertension Symptoms High blood pressure often doesn't cause symptoms, but here's what to watch for By Craig O. Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD, is a board-certified occupational specialist who has practiced for over 36 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 19, 2022 Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI, is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist. Dr. Ali is also an award-winning writer. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Next in Hypertension Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Hypertension When hypertension symptoms are present, they include dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, and nosebleeds. But often, these and other symptoms of high blood pressure are often absent entirely. This and the potential severity of complications has given rise to hypertension's reputation as a "silent killer." Hypertension can cause heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure when not adequately treated—in some cases before it's ever diagnosed. A hypertensive emergency, which is an uncommon and dangerous event, may cause blurry vision, nausea, chest pain, and anxiety. This article explains both common are rare hypertension symptoms. It discusses serious health issues that can arise due to the condition, and why and when it may be important to see a healthcare provider. Common Hypertension Symptoms Hypertension symptoms are absent in the vast majority of people living with the condition. It is usually diagnosed in a healthcare provider's office, with a simple blood pressure measurement using a blood pressure cuff. Symptoms that do occur, if present, may indicate temporary fluctuations or elevations in blood pressure, and can be related to the timing of medication doses. Verywell Illustration Generally, hypertension symptoms can happen at any time, do not last for long, and may recur. They include: Recurrent headaches: Headaches are fairly common, with or without hypertension. Some people with hypertension notice changes or worsening of headaches when medications are skipped or when the blood pressure becomes higher than usual. Headaches associated with hypertension can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can be of a throbbing nature. Dizziness: People with hypertension may notice dizziness in relation to medication doses and blood pressure fluctuations. Shortness of breath: Hypertension can cause shortness of breath as a result of the effect on the heart and lung function. Shortness of breath is more noticeable with physical exertion or exercise. Nosebleed: You may be more prone to nosebleeds if you have high blood pressure although, in general, nosebleeds are not a classic sign of high blood pressure. The 8 Best Blood Pressure Monitors of 2023 for Home Use Rare Hypertension Symptoms Hypertension symptoms are more likely to occur with sudden and extremely high blood pressure than with chronic hypertension. However, it is important to know that even very high blood pressure may not produce symptoms. Severe high blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure of >180 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of >120 mmHg. People with severe high blood pressure can develop symptoms quickly, including: Blurry vision or other vision disturbances: Blurred vision and vision changes are warning signs that you could be at risk of a serious health problem, such as a stroke or a heart attack. Headaches: Headaches associated with very high blood pressure tend to be throbbing in nature and can develop rapidly. Dizziness: The dizziness of very high blood pressure is described as vertigo (a sensation that the room is spinning). Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite: Nausea associated with severe hypertension can develop suddenly and may be associated with dizziness. Hypertensive Urgency A type of high blood pressure without serious symptoms is called hypertensive urgency. In situations of hypertensive urgency, there is no organ failure or other immediately critical conditions, but these conditions could quickly develop if the blood pressure isn’t quickly brought under control. Hypertensive urgency is defined as a systolic blood pressure of greater than 180 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure of >110 mmHg. This blood pressure is considered high enough to put you at serious risk of sudden, life-threatening events. Complications of High Blood Pressure Untreated hypertension causes serious complications, including organ damage. Less commonly, a condition called hypertensive emergency, which may also be called hypertensive crisis or malignant hypertension, can occur. Hypertensive Emergency A hypertensive emergency, unlike the similar sounding hypertensive urgency, is characterized by serious, life-threatening complications. Signs and symptoms can include: Shortness of breathAnxietyChest painIrregular heart rateConfusionFainting A hypertensive emergency means that the systolic blood pressure is greater than 180 mmHg or the diastolic pressure is >120 mmHg, and that end-organ damage is occurring. What Is a Hypertensive Crisis? Aneurysm Rupture An aneurysm, which is a bulge in the wall of an artery, can form due to a number of causes. Aneurysms can occur in the aorta, brain, and kidneys. Hypertension contributes to aneurysm formation, and sudden elevations of blood pressure can increase the risk of an aneurysm rupture—a serious event that can be fatal. Vascular Disease Hypertension increases the risk of vascular disease, characterized by atherosclerosis (hardening and stiffening of the blood vessels) and narrowing of the arteries. Vascular disease can involve the blood vessels in the legs, heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes, causing a range of disabling or life-threatening symptoms. High pressure impacts arterial wall contraction. Heart Disease Hypertension contributes to the development and worsening of coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Kidney Failure Hypertension can affect the kidneys, as their blood vessels become less able to function effectively; permanent damage is possible. Respiratory Disease Respiratory disease can develop as a consequence of heart disease, manifesting as shortness of breath with exertion. When to See a Healthcare Provider If you experience any of the symptoms of hypertension, such as frequent headaches, recurrent dizziness, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, don't wait—speak to your healthcare provider immediately. That said, it's important not to wait for symptoms to be checked out. Go to your regular physical exams with your healthcare provider. Hypertension is a common condition and, if caught, can be treated with medication to prevent complications. Living with hypertension requires regular visits with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress. If you are already on blood pressure medication and experience any related side effects, contact your healthcare provider to see if your treatment plan needs to be adjusted. Who Is at Risk of Hypertension? The risk of high blood pressure is influenced by a number of factors, including your age and gender as well as genetics. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, and exercise, also may contribute to its development. Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid disease, increase the risk. When to Go to the Hospital A hypertensive emergency requires immediate emergency medical care. The symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include: Severe headachesChest painPalpitationsShortness of breathSevere dizziness or feeling faintVision changesWeakness, numbness, tingling in the arms, legs, or face on one of both sidesTrouble speaking or understanding wordsConfusion or behavioral changes Do not attempt to lower extremely elevated blood pressure in yourself or someone else. While the goal is to reduce blood pressure before additional complications develop, blood pressure should be reduced over the course of hours to days, depending on severity. It is important not to lower blood pressure too quickly, because rapid blood pressure reductions can cut off the supply of blood to the brain, leading to brain damage or death. Hypertension Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Frequently Asked Questions What defines hypertension? Hypertension is when the force of your blood against the walls of your vessels is regularly elevated. It is defined by a systolic pressure chronically greater than 130 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or a diastolic pressure greater than 80 mmHg. Learn More: Systolic vs. Diastolic Pressures What happens if hypertension is left untreated? Over time, untreated high blood pressure can lead to more serious conditions, including damage to the heart, kidneys, and other organs. High blood pressure can also become life-threatening if an aneurysm, stroke, heart attack, or other high-risk complications occur. Learn More: Aortic Aneurysm: Overview and More What time of day is blood pressure highest? Blood pressure typically rises in the morning and then fluctuates, often peaking at midday. It becomes lower in the evening and at night. The pattern may vary with the individual. If you check it at home, try to do so at the same times every day so the readings are consistent. Learn More: The Best Time to Take Your Blood Pressure 13 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Heart Association. What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? Salkic S, Batic-mujanovic O, Ljuca F, Brkic S. Clinical presentation of hypertensive crises in emergency medical services. Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(1):12-6. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.12-16 Courand PY, Serraille M, Girerd N, et al. The Paradoxical Significance of Headache in Hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2016;29(9):1109-16. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpw041 Stacey AW, Sozener CB, Besirli CG. Hypertensive emergency presenting as blurry vision in a patient with hypertensive chorioretinopathy. Int J Emerg Med. 2015;8:13. doi:10.1186/s12245-015-0063-6 Lopes AR, Moreira MD, Trelha CS, Marchiori LL. Association between complaints of dizziness and hypertension in non-institutionalized elders. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;17(2):157-62. doi:10.7162/S1809-97772013000200007 Patel KK, Young L, Howell EH, Hu B, Rutecki G, Thomas G, et al. Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Presenting With Hypertensive Urgency in the Office Setting. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Jul 1;176(7):981-8. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1509. Varounis C, Katsi V, Nihoyannopoulos P, Lekakis J, Tousoulis D. Cardiovascular Hypertensive Crisis: Recent Evidence and Review of the Literature. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2016;3:51. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2016.00051 Tada Y, Wada K, Shimada K, et al. Roles of hypertension in the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Stroke. 2014;45(2):579-86. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003072 Kawabe H, Azegami T, Takeda A, Kanda T, Saito I, Saruta T, et al. Features of and preventive measures against hypertension in the young. Hypertens Res. 2019 Jul;42(7):935-948. doi:10.1038/s41440-019-0229-3. Mcnaughton CD, Self WH, Levy PD, Barrett TW. High-Risk Patients with Hypertension: Clinical Management Options. Clin Med Rev Vasc Health. 2013;2012(4):65-71. doi:10.4137/CMRVH.S8109 American Heart Association. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. American Heart Association. Health Threats From High Blood Pressure. George J, Macdonald T. Home blood pressure monitoring. Eur Cardiol. 2015;10(2):95-101. doi:10.15420/ecr.2015.10.2.95 Additional Reading Di Nicolò P. The dark side of the kidney in cardio-renal syndrome: renal venous hypertension and congestive kidney failure. Heart Fail Rev. 2018 Mar;23(2):291-302. doi: 10.1007/s10741-018-9673-4. By Craig O. Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD, is a board-certified occupational specialist who has practiced for over 36 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit