How to Recognize Hypertension Symptoms

In early stages, there are no specific hypertension symptoms that you can recognize easily. This is a dangerous condition because it can increase your risk of other serious medical conditions like heart disease or stroke. If you experience some symptoms, it is important to visit your doctor right away to begin treatment and avoid complications from high blood pressure.

Are there any symptoms that you can look out for?

In most cases, the answer is no. This is why high blood pressure is often referred to as a "silent killer" because it can linger for months or even years without been detected. It affects many people of all races and ages. However, when your blood pressure becomes very high, you may see some signs or symptoms like the following:

• a severe headache

• vision problems

• chest pain

• difficulty breathing

• blood in the urine

If you notice or experience any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. If these symptoms are kept unattended, then it is possible for you to be at a high risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Again, hypertension is a dangerous condition if it is not under controlled.

How to Find the Condition in Early Stages

If you want to know if you have hypertension, the solution is very simple. Visit your doctor and ask for a test and also begin to monitor your blood pressure at home. Many of us will never experience these symptoms mentioned above because our blood pressure will never raise that severely (if it is under control). However, even more moderate fluctuations in blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of other conditions. Since hypertension symptoms at this stage of the game are generally few and far between, it is important to understand the risk factors involved with this condition, and the proper ways to monitor your blood pressure to help keep it in check.

Normal blood pressure range should be in 120/80 or lower. The pre-hypertension range is a systolic (top) number of 120-139, and a diastolic (bottom) number of 80-89. This is the point where you can begin to monitor your blood pressure more closely and make some simple lifestyle changes that can keep your pre-hypertension in check. However, it is very possible that your pre-hypertension will often get worse over time. It is at this point, whether you are experiencing hypertension symptoms or not, when it is highly recommended to talk to your doctor about the treatment options that are available to you.

Some Treatment Options

Treatment for this health condition will usually involve a medication to keep your blood pressure on a normal level and recommended lifestyle changes that will keep your cardiovascular system strong and healthy. Some of these might include :

• changes to your diet

• a daily exercise program

• a weight loss plan if you are overweight

• medication

Since there are rarely symptoms to evaluate, you should continue to monitor your blood pressure to ensure that the numbers remain low. With these treatments, you will be able to control your blood pressure and reduce your risk of other health problems.