Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDetectionCausesDiagnosisSide EffectsTreatmentPreventionOutlookNext in Hypertension Guide9 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Detection
Causes
Diagnosis
Side Effects
Treatment
Prevention
Outlook
Next in Hypertension Guide
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, commonly affects over 1 billion people worldwide, including 45% of adults.Blood pressure measures the pressure at which your blood circulates throughout your body. It’s measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is read as a fraction.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Hypertension is difficult to detect without testing and is often called a “silent killer.” Because it usually does not produce symptoms, many people don’t know they have it. Learning how to identify it and practicing prevention whenever possible is essential.
This article examines what it means to have high blood pressure, including causes, potential symptoms, long-term effects, treatment, and prevention.
Mayur Kakade / Getty Images
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. The top number (systolic blood pressure) measures the pressure of blood in your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic blood pressure) measures the pressure of blood in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.
Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure is diagnosed when one or both numbers are higher than normal. People whose systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 129 have borderline hypertension. Unless blood pressure is severely elevated, it is unusual to have symptoms for hypertension. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Rarer symptoms of high blood pressure include:
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Women?
How Do You Know You Have Hypertension?
Since hypertension is often asymptomatic, it’s helpful to have your blood pressure checked regularly as part of a routine medical exam, preferably annually as an adult.
In addition to the list of potential symptoms above, if high blood pressure is left untreated, it can lead to long-term problems, including:
Although rare, you can have a hypertensive emergency, a dangerous event in which anxiety, chest pain, nausea, and blurred vision can occur. Your blood pressure is generally 180/120 mm Hg or greater in this situation.
More often than not, there are no prominent symptoms of hypertension, which makes it even more important to understand your risk factors and to see a healthcare provider regularly.
Taking your blood pressure readings with ahome blood pressure cuffis an easy way to monitor trends and help identify whether your blood pressure is higher than normal.
What Is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when the blood pressure in your lungs is consistently higher than normal. There are five types, depending on the cause, including:
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Some of these factors include:
Hypertension becomes more likely with age as you experience increased sensitivity to salt, hormonal changes, and loss of flexibility in your blood vessels.Men more than women are likely to have high blood pressure before age 45, after which the risk becomes more even. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure after age 60.
Genetics can also play a role, meaning that if you have an immediate family member with hypertension, you may have a higher likelihood of experiencing it yourself.
What Happens to Blood Pressure as We Age
Hypertension Diagnosis: Testing Options
Long-Term Effects of Hypertension
If you find out that you have high blood pressure, it’s important to take action right away. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to dangerouscomplications, including:
High blood pressure is easy to diagnose, treat, and prevent through lifestyle changes and medication. A healthcare provider will be able to discuss the best options for you.
Pulse Pressure Predictions: What Ranges Suggest About Your Health
Hypertension Treatment and Medication
Due to the serious nature of uncontrolled high blood pressure, immediate action should be taken when it is diagnosed. This is often a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Medication
There are several types of medications a provider may prescribe you for blood pressure control. They may prescribe one or more at a time, depending on the severity of your hypertension. Some of the most commonly prescribed hypertension medications include:
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to medication when needed, lifestyle changes are an important part of your hypertension treatment plan. To support optimal blood pressure and heart health, consider the following:
37 Foods High in Sodium to Eat Less of
How to Prevent Hypertension
High blood pressure is reversible and preventable. The best way to prevent hypertension is to practice healthy lifestyle habits, have regular wellness exams, and monitor your blood pressure readings. If you notice symptoms that are out of the ordinary or are ever concerned about your blood pressure, speak to a healthcare provider.
12 Tricks to Lower Your Blood Pressure Instantly at Home
High blood pressure is a prevalent health condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. High blood pressure should be taken seriously despite its prevalence, as it can have dangerous consequences if left untreated. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easily preventable and treatable with lifestyle modifications and medications that your healthcare provider may temporarily prescribe.
It’s always important to speak with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your blood pressure, especially if you have risk factors for it or notice higher-than-normal home blood pressure readings.
27 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Hypertension.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.High blood pressure diagnosis.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.UpToDate.Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control.Pulmonary hypertension.Centers for Disease Control.Know your risk for high blood pressure.Mills KT, Stefanescu A, He J.The global epidemiology of hypertension.Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020;16(4):223-237. doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2Nwankwo T, Yoon SS, Burt V, Gu Q.Hypertension among adults in the United States: National health and nutrition examination survey, 2011-2012.NCHS Data Brief. 2013;(133):1-8.Manosroi W, Williams GH.Genetics of Human Primary Hypertension: Focus on Hormonal Mechanisms.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):825-856. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00071Flack JM, Adekola B.Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020;30(3):160-164. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2019.05.003Fishbein MC, Fishbein GA.Arteriosclerosis: facts and fancy.Cardiovasc Pathol. 2015Nov-Dec;24(6):335-42. doi:10.1016/j.carpath.2015.07.007American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hypertensive retinopathy.Sternlicht H, Bakris GL.The kidney in hypertension.Med Clin North Am. 2017;101(1):207-217. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.08.001Kjeldsen SE.Hypertension and cardiovascular risk: General aspects.Pharmacol Res. 2018;129:95-99. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.11.003American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Brouwers S, Sudano I, Kokubo Y, Sulaica EM.Arterial hypertension.Lancet. 2021;398(10296):249-261. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00221-XValenzuela PL, Carrera-Bastos P, Gálvez BG, et al.Lifestyle interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(4):251-275. doi:10.1038/s41569-020-00437-9Abu H, Aboumatar H, Carson KA, Goldberg R, Cooper LA.Hypertension knowledge, heart healthy lifestyle practices and medication adherence among adults with hypertension.Eur J Pers Cent Healthc. 2018;6(1):108-114. doi:10.5750/ejpch.v6i1.1416Carey RM, Wright JT Jr, Taler SJ, Whelton PK.Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update.Circ Res. 2021;128(7):827-846. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318083Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A.Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22:17. Published 2016 Jul 26. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yHirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Madika AL, Mounier-Vehier C.Tabac et pression artérielle : une relation complexe à mieux connaître [Smoking and blood pressure: A complex relationship].Presse Med. 2017;46(7-8 Pt 1):697-702. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2017.07.001Martinez-Morata I, Sanchez TR, Shimbo D, Navas-Acien A.Electronic cigarette use and blood pressure endpoints: A systematic review.Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020;23(1):2. Published 2020 Nov 23. doi:10.1007/s11906-020-01119-0
27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Hypertension.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.High blood pressure diagnosis.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.UpToDate.Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control.Pulmonary hypertension.Centers for Disease Control.Know your risk for high blood pressure.Mills KT, Stefanescu A, He J.The global epidemiology of hypertension.Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020;16(4):223-237. doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2Nwankwo T, Yoon SS, Burt V, Gu Q.Hypertension among adults in the United States: National health and nutrition examination survey, 2011-2012.NCHS Data Brief. 2013;(133):1-8.Manosroi W, Williams GH.Genetics of Human Primary Hypertension: Focus on Hormonal Mechanisms.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):825-856. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00071Flack JM, Adekola B.Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020;30(3):160-164. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2019.05.003Fishbein MC, Fishbein GA.Arteriosclerosis: facts and fancy.Cardiovasc Pathol. 2015Nov-Dec;24(6):335-42. doi:10.1016/j.carpath.2015.07.007American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hypertensive retinopathy.Sternlicht H, Bakris GL.The kidney in hypertension.Med Clin North Am. 2017;101(1):207-217. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.08.001Kjeldsen SE.Hypertension and cardiovascular risk: General aspects.Pharmacol Res. 2018;129:95-99. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.11.003American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Brouwers S, Sudano I, Kokubo Y, Sulaica EM.Arterial hypertension.Lancet. 2021;398(10296):249-261. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00221-XValenzuela PL, Carrera-Bastos P, Gálvez BG, et al.Lifestyle interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(4):251-275. doi:10.1038/s41569-020-00437-9Abu H, Aboumatar H, Carson KA, Goldberg R, Cooper LA.Hypertension knowledge, heart healthy lifestyle practices and medication adherence among adults with hypertension.Eur J Pers Cent Healthc. 2018;6(1):108-114. doi:10.5750/ejpch.v6i1.1416Carey RM, Wright JT Jr, Taler SJ, Whelton PK.Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update.Circ Res. 2021;128(7):827-846. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318083Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A.Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22:17. Published 2016 Jul 26. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yHirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Madika AL, Mounier-Vehier C.Tabac et pression artérielle : une relation complexe à mieux connaître [Smoking and blood pressure: A complex relationship].Presse Med. 2017;46(7-8 Pt 1):697-702. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2017.07.001Martinez-Morata I, Sanchez TR, Shimbo D, Navas-Acien A.Electronic cigarette use and blood pressure endpoints: A systematic review.Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020;23(1):2. Published 2020 Nov 23. doi:10.1007/s11906-020-01119-0
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Hypertension.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.High blood pressure diagnosis.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.UpToDate.Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults.American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control.Pulmonary hypertension.Centers for Disease Control.Know your risk for high blood pressure.Mills KT, Stefanescu A, He J.The global epidemiology of hypertension.Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020;16(4):223-237. doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2Nwankwo T, Yoon SS, Burt V, Gu Q.Hypertension among adults in the United States: National health and nutrition examination survey, 2011-2012.NCHS Data Brief. 2013;(133):1-8.Manosroi W, Williams GH.Genetics of Human Primary Hypertension: Focus on Hormonal Mechanisms.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):825-856. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00071Flack JM, Adekola B.Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020;30(3):160-164. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2019.05.003Fishbein MC, Fishbein GA.Arteriosclerosis: facts and fancy.Cardiovasc Pathol. 2015Nov-Dec;24(6):335-42. doi:10.1016/j.carpath.2015.07.007American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hypertensive retinopathy.Sternlicht H, Bakris GL.The kidney in hypertension.Med Clin North Am. 2017;101(1):207-217. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.08.001Kjeldsen SE.Hypertension and cardiovascular risk: General aspects.Pharmacol Res. 2018;129:95-99. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.11.003American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.Brouwers S, Sudano I, Kokubo Y, Sulaica EM.Arterial hypertension.Lancet. 2021;398(10296):249-261. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00221-XValenzuela PL, Carrera-Bastos P, Gálvez BG, et al.Lifestyle interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(4):251-275. doi:10.1038/s41569-020-00437-9Abu H, Aboumatar H, Carson KA, Goldberg R, Cooper LA.Hypertension knowledge, heart healthy lifestyle practices and medication adherence among adults with hypertension.Eur J Pers Cent Healthc. 2018;6(1):108-114. doi:10.5750/ejpch.v6i1.1416Carey RM, Wright JT Jr, Taler SJ, Whelton PK.Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update.Circ Res. 2021;128(7):827-846. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318083Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A.Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22:17. Published 2016 Jul 26. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yHirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Madika AL, Mounier-Vehier C.Tabac et pression artérielle : une relation complexe à mieux connaître [Smoking and blood pressure: A complex relationship].Presse Med. 2017;46(7-8 Pt 1):697-702. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2017.07.001Martinez-Morata I, Sanchez TR, Shimbo D, Navas-Acien A.Electronic cigarette use and blood pressure endpoints: A systematic review.Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020;23(1):2. Published 2020 Nov 23. doi:10.1007/s11906-020-01119-0
World Health Organization.Hypertension.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.High blood pressure diagnosis.
American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Centers for Disease Control.High blood pressure symptoms and causes.
American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.
UpToDate.Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults.
American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control.Pulmonary hypertension.
Centers for Disease Control.Know your risk for high blood pressure.
Mills KT, Stefanescu A, He J.The global epidemiology of hypertension.Nat Rev Nephrol. 2020;16(4):223-237. doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2
Nwankwo T, Yoon SS, Burt V, Gu Q.Hypertension among adults in the United States: National health and nutrition examination survey, 2011-2012.NCHS Data Brief. 2013;(133):1-8.
Manosroi W, Williams GH.Genetics of Human Primary Hypertension: Focus on Hormonal Mechanisms.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):825-856. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00071
Flack JM, Adekola B.Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020;30(3):160-164. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2019.05.003
Fishbein MC, Fishbein GA.Arteriosclerosis: facts and fancy.Cardiovasc Pathol. 2015Nov-Dec;24(6):335-42. doi:10.1016/j.carpath.2015.07.007
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Hypertensive retinopathy.
Sternlicht H, Bakris GL.The kidney in hypertension.Med Clin North Am. 2017;101(1):207-217. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.08.001
Kjeldsen SE.Hypertension and cardiovascular risk: General aspects.Pharmacol Res. 2018;129:95-99. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.11.003
American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.
Brouwers S, Sudano I, Kokubo Y, Sulaica EM.Arterial hypertension.Lancet. 2021;398(10296):249-261. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00221-X
Valenzuela PL, Carrera-Bastos P, Gálvez BG, et al.Lifestyle interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18(4):251-275. doi:10.1038/s41569-020-00437-9
Abu H, Aboumatar H, Carson KA, Goldberg R, Cooper LA.Hypertension knowledge, heart healthy lifestyle practices and medication adherence among adults with hypertension.Eur J Pers Cent Healthc. 2018;6(1):108-114. doi:10.5750/ejpch.v6i1.1416
Carey RM, Wright JT Jr, Taler SJ, Whelton PK.Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update.Circ Res. 2021;128(7):827-846. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318083
Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A.Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135
Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22:17. Published 2016 Jul 26. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-y
Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
Madika AL, Mounier-Vehier C.Tabac et pression artérielle : une relation complexe à mieux connaître [Smoking and blood pressure: A complex relationship].Presse Med. 2017;46(7-8 Pt 1):697-702. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2017.07.001
Martinez-Morata I, Sanchez TR, Shimbo D, Navas-Acien A.Electronic cigarette use and blood pressure endpoints: A systematic review.Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020;23(1):2. Published 2020 Nov 23. doi:10.1007/s11906-020-01119-0
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
