7 Ways to Recognize Signs of High Blood Pressure

by Calyn Ehid
Though not seen traditionally as serious as heart disease or cancer, high blood pressure has been called the "silent killer." Regardless, high blood pressure can leave you at risk of developing other major health issues, such as heart disease or stroke. At the time, there is no known cure for high blood pressure, but with proper treatment and management, you can still lead a perfectly healthy life.Blood pressure is defined as the amount of force that your blood is traveling through your bloodstream, and might be greater if there's any blockage that may be obstructing its path. Moreover, certain lifestyle choices (such as smoking) or physical traits can put you at an increased risk of high blood pressure.Finding the Right Blood Glucose Monitoring SystemBlood pressure is measured by two numbers, your systolic and diastolic number, and can be routinely checked by any doctor or outpatient facility. The normal healthy human being has a systolic (upper number) of 120, and a diastolic (lower number) of 80. Elevated blood pressure is 120-129 over 80, and stage 1 hypertension is usually 130-139 over 80-89. If your blood pressure is more than 140 over 90, it's called stage 2 hypertension, and anything higher than 180 over 120 necessitates a doctor's visit immediately.Since it is so often unseen, it's important to recognize the warning signs that accompany high blood pressure before it causes bigger issues. If you see any of the following in yourself or a loved one, make sure they see a doctor to get checked up.

Constant Headaches

Although many experts are divided on whether high blood pressure causes constant headaches, the consensus among most is that there is little to no correlation. The American Heart Association has stated that the two are not related, but does note that high blood pressure can cause a phenomenon known as malignant hypertension, or hypertensive crisis. During this event, the pressure in the brain continues to increase, creating a critical level of tension that no amount of pain medication can take care of. This is usually associated with blurred vision and chest pain, and can be dangerous if left untreated.Next