You can have hypertension or high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. That is why regular health screenings are recommended as symptoms can be picked up and the illnesses can be managed.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke, aneurysm (a ballooning and weakened area in an artery), trouble with memory or understanding, thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes and even dementia.
Symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren’t specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Ways of controlling high blood pressure
By adopting an overall healthy lifestyle, one can manage the disease without taking medication. The following lifestyle changes are recommended:
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Limit salt and other products with sodium
- Reduce stress
- Stop smoking
- Limit alcohol
- Limit caffeine by cutting down on coffee
- Monitor high blood pressure daily at home
Monitoring blood pressure
Although you will normally have your blood pressure taken as part of a routine doctor’s appointment, regular health screenings that include high blood pressure checks are recommended. Daily home checks are possible.
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Source: Mayoclini.org
