Heart Health High Blood Pressure Living With High Blood Pressure Guide High Blood Pressure Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Symptoms of Hypertension 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 March 24, 2021 Learn more</a>." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Yasmine Ali, MD, is board-certified in cardiology. She is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and an award-winning physician 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 High Blood Pressure Guide Why Hypertension Develops Hypertension does not usually cause any noticeable symptoms. When it does, you might experience dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, and nosebleeds, which could indicate that your blood pressure is high. Complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure can occur if long-term hypertension is not adequately treated. A hypertensive emergency, which is an uncommon and dangerous event, may cause blurry vision, nausea, chest pain and anxiety. © Verywell, 2018 Frequent Symptoms Overall, the vast majority of people who have hypertension, which is described as chronically high blood pressure (>130 mm Hg or diastolic pressure >80 mm Hg), do not experience any symptoms of the condition. It is usually diagnosed in the 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. Generally, the symptoms of hypertension can happen at any time, do not last for long, and may recur. They include: Recurrent headaches: Headaches are fairly common among people 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 hypertension, although, in general, nosebleeds are not a classic sign of high blood pressure. The 8 Best Blood Pressure Monitors of 2022 for Home Use Rare Symptoms Extremely high blood pressure that occurs suddenly is more likely to produce noticeable symptoms than 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 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of >120 mm Hg. 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. Hypertensive urgency is defined as a systolic blood pressure of >180 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of >120 mm Hg. This blood pressure is considered high enough to put you at serious risk of sudden, life-threatening events. 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. Complications 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. A hypertensive emergency means that the blood pressure is >180 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure is >120 mm Hg, and that end-organ damage is occurring. Signs and symptoms can include shortness of breath, anxiety, chest pain, irregular heart rate, confusion, or fainting. 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 It is important to go to your regular check-ups with your healthcare provider. Hypertension is a common condition and, if caught, can be treated with medication to prevent complications. However, 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. 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 regimen needs to be adjusted. Hypertension Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. 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. Frequently Asked Questions What are the most common symptoms of hypertension? Hypertension—sometimes called the “silent killer”—often doesn’t create any symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to have regular blood pressure checks at your healthcare provider’s office. That said, short-windedness (especially with physical activity), headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds could be signs of high blood pressure. 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. How can I lower my blood pressure quickly? Exercise and eating well are great places to start when you’re trying to lower your blood pressure. Medication prescribed by your healthcare provider can also work to quickly lower blood pressure. If you’re experiencing stress or other strong emotions, meditation, taking a walk outside in nature, and other self-soothing techniques can be great ways to improve your mood—and your health. 12 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. What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? American Heart Associatio. Oct 31, 2016. 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 Blasi F. The challenge of breathlessness in the detection of pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir Rev. 2012;21(123):1-3. doi:10.1183/09059180.00008511 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 Alley WD, Copelin EL. Hypertensive Urgency. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2019. 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 Drazner MH. The progression of hypertensive heart disease. Circulation. 2011;123(3):327-34. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.845792 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 Health Threats From High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. October 31, 2016. Additional Reading Courand PY, Serraille M, Girerd N, et al. The Paradoxical Significance of Headache in Hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2016 Sep;29(9):1109-16. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpw041. Epub 2016 Apr 19. 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. 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