Is high blood pressure really without signs or symptoms?
High blood pressure has been acknowledged as the “silent killer” by the American Heart & Stroke Association. We all know why. It is that because most people don’t feel any signs or symptoms that something is wrong. Signs of high blood pressure are things that you experience that your doctor or anyone else can see if they know what they are looking for. Symptoms are the experience that you are having that is not necessarily noticeable by your doctor.
Symptoms are what you are feeling however, I cannot ignore the fact that some patients have sworn that they know exactly when their blood pressure is high. Some people feel hot when their blood pressure is high. This is a symptom because the doctor cannot see a hot feeling or feeling flush, but if you are sweating, this is a sign because your doctor can see this. Now, being hot is a symptom, but if your nurse take your temperature, this is a sign.
I have had patients say that they get a headache, chest pains, numbness, tingling in their lips, difficulty breathing. My grandpa described it as “I get short-winded” or he would say, I get a funny feeling in my head.
They would say “I can’t catch their breath” or “I have foggy thinking”, or that they get a nose bleed.
Headache has been associated with a hypertension crisis. So, if you have a headache, be sure to check you blood pressure to check for a hypertenson crisis. The American Heart Association define a hypertension crisis as blood pressure 180/100 mmHg or more. 
Some patients say that they feel really tired, feel like they need to vomit, or that they cannot keep their eyes open once they sit down. Other patients would say that they had blurred vision, brief blindness, or they saw flashing lights for a few seconds. I have had some to say “It’s a feeling that they can’t describe”.
Although most people don’t have signs or symptoms associated with their high blood pressure, some do. If you do have signs or symptoms, take action immediately to potentially prevent bad things from happening. Overreact, as recommended by the American Stroke Association, and call 911 if you have stroke symptoms or your doctor’s office. Basically, to save you some time, if you call your doctor’s office, they will likely tell you to call 911.
This is not medical advice, but when 911 gets to you, they will likely give you aspirin, get an EKG, start an IV line. If you are having shortness of breath or chest pain, EMS will likely put some oxygen on you. EMS will suggest that you go to the emergency room to be checked out. When you get to the emergency room, the staff will get your complaint and get your medical history. They will get an EKG, draw blood to see if you are having a stroke or heart attack. A nuclear scan might be done to check if you had an aortic aneurysm.
A diagnosis of hypertension is not really a problem unless your blood pressure is uncontrolled. Uncontrolled blood pressure can cause heart disease, heart problems, heart attack, stroke, blindness, or other problems. High blood pressure might not really be without signs or symptoms, but most people don’t have a clue.
If you do have symptoms, you might consider yourself lucky. Not trying to scare you, but take immediate action and call your doctor with severe reading. It could save your sight, prevent disability, or save your life.
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