The Vascular Role Of Migraines
Since migraines involve debilitating and recurring headaches, early medical research into this condition was often conducted from a vascular angle. After all, the dilation of cerebral veins and arteries is one of the most common causes of cephalalgia, the medical name given to headaches.
Migraines are not exclusively tied to vascular conditions. Modern research favors a theory of a neurochemical origin, which in turn has certain effects on vascularity. The bottom line is that high blood pressure is certainly known to cause headaches, but not necessarily migraines.
How Not To Relieve A Hypertension Headache
High blood pressure headaches are a symptom of a serious health emergency. Taking traditional pain relievers is ineffective and delays the medical care you need.
You can take previously prescribed blood pressure medication on your way to the emergency room, but don’t wait for it to take effect as it might not help. To prevent serious complications, you need to get professional medical help within one to two hours.
When To Talk To A Doctor
You should talk to a doctor if you consistently have to take pain medication for head pressure or pain more than two times per week. Make an appointment with your doctor if your discomfort is long term , severe, or unusual for you. Headaches that disrupt your day-to-day activities warrant medical treatment.
If you dont already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Seeking treatment for an underlying condition, such as sinusitis or an ear infection, can also help relieve head pressure. Depending on your condition, your doctor might refer you to a neurologist or ear, nose, and throat specialist , also known as an otolaryngologist.
When the source of your head pressure isnt clear or symptoms suggest a more serious condition, a doctor might order a CT scan or an MRI scan. Both of these diagnostic procedures produce a detailed image of your brain that your doctor will use to learn more about what is causing your pain.
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Is There A Link Between Your Back Pain And High Blood Pressure Acute Pain Can Cause A Temporary Rise In Blood Pressure And Chronic Pain That Lasts A Long Time Can Increase Your Risk For Hypertension
Chronic pain wears out your endogenous opioid receptors, increasing your sensitivity to pain.
It is well known that a short period of pain called acute pain can raise your blood pressure. Several studies show that people with long-term pain called chronic pain may develop long-term high blood pressure called hypertension. In more ways than one, pain can cause high blood pressure.
Learn more about what your blood pressure means with our Blood Pressure Chart.
Evidence Supporting The Idea
According to a paper in the , headaches due to high blood pressure typically occur on both sides of the head.
The headache pain tends to pulsate and often gets worse with physical activity.
According to the authors, high blood pressure can cause headaches because it affects the blood-brain barrier.
Hypertension can result in excess pressure on the brain, which can cause blood to leak from the blood vessels in this organ.
This causes edema, or swelling, which is problematic because the brain sits within the skull and has no space to expand.
The swelling places further pressure on the brain and causes symptoms that include a headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, seizures, and blurred vision. If a person receives treatment to lower their blood pressure, their symptoms will usually improve within an hour.
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Is There A Link Between Migraine And High Blood Pressure
Studies have shown that elevated blood pressure is not a cause of headaches except for hypertensive emergency as discussed above. There has been some conflict in clinical studies, however, in regards to high blood pressure causing migraine.
Studies have shown a range of findings, including:
- People with a history of migraine have a higher chance of developing high blood pressure later in life Migraine Again Verified Source
Rist PM, Winter AC, Buring JE, Sesso HD, Kurth T. Migraine and the risk of incident hypertension among women. Cephalalgia. 2018 38:1817-1824
- People with migraine have higher diastolic but lower systolic blood pressure Migraine Again Verified Source
Gudmundsson LS, Thorgeirsson G, Sigfusson N, Sigvaldason H, Johannsson M Migraine patients have lower systolic but higher diastolic blood pressure compared with controls in a population-based study of 21,537 subjects. The Reykjavik Study. Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache. 2006 26:436-444
- Migraine has an association with hypertension Migraine Again Verified Source
Gardener H, Monteith T, Rundek T, Wright CB, Elkind MS, Sacco RL. Hypertension and Migraine in the Northern Manhattan Study. Ethn Dis. 2016 26:323-330. Published 2016 Jul 21. doi:10.18865/ed.26.3.323
Our current understanding of migraine biology tells us that the mechanism which allows these drugs to reduce headache attacks is not related to an effect on blood pressure, or even on relaxing blood vessels.
What Are High Blood Pressure Headaches
High blood pressure headaches are not only painful and even debilitating. They are a loud message from your body that something is wrong. Your headache may be your first clue that you have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Or, it could be a sign that your hypertension is not well controlled.
Whether you have headaches, other hypertension symptoms, or no symptoms at all, high blood pressure is to be taken seriously. It can cause devastating health consequences if uncontrolled, but it can also be treated. You can take steps to lower blood pressure and avoid high blood pressure headaches.
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How To Lower Blood Pressure
A healthier diet and increased physical activity can control blood pressure without medications in some cases. In other cases, a healthier lifestyle may not be enough on its own to control blood pressure, but it can reduce your need for medications.
For motivation to live healthy, you can see estimates of how much each healthy change can help lower blood pressure. These tips may also help.
| Healthy Behavior | |
|---|---|
| 1 mm Hg per kg |
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| Healthy diet |
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| Less sodium |
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| More potassium |
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| More physical activity |
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| Quit smoking |
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Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medications to control your blood pressure if the lifestyle changes you make do not lower your numbers enough to be safe. A variety of medications are available. You and your doctor can work together to decide which may be right for you.
How To Prevent A High Blood Pressure Headache
Monitoring your blood pressure is key to preventing a life-threatening high blood pressure headache. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure a silent killer because it usually only causes symptoms in very severe cases.
To prevent a hypertensive emergency, you should measure your blood pressure at least twice a month. If you have a history of high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to measure your blood pressure every day.
While its not always possible to prevent a hypertensive crisis, following these strategies can minimize your risk:
Your doctor can suggest preventive measures suited to you individually.
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How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure In Minutes
If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change, lie down and take deep breaths. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. When you feel stress, hormones are released that constrict your blood vessels.
The Link Between These Two Conditions Is Complicated And Worth Discussing With Your Doctor
Many people who lead reasonably healthy lives are surprised when they find out that they have high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects one in three adults in the U.S.1 Often, people dont show symptoms, which is why high blood pressure can lead to health problems such as heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes.2
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Headache Caused By An Adrenal Tumor
The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and make many of the hormones the body needs to work. Sometimes headaches are caused by an adrenal tumor . The tumor can cause quick increases in blood pressure that in turn cause headaches. Symptoms of this type of headache are:3
- Head pain that lasts 15 minutes to 1 hour
- Severe pulsing or constant pain
- Come with sweating, palpitations, anxiety, and paleness
The headache goes away when blood pressure lowers or the tumor is removed.
Systolic Vs Diastolic Blood Pressure And Headaches
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and reported as two numberssystolic pressure is the first or top number, while diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number. These numbers are both usually either normal, too high, or too low, but they are each a reflection of slightly different aspects of health. And sometimes isolated systolic hypertension or isolated diastolic hypertension can occur.
Among participants in the Norwegian study, those with higher systolic pressures and wider pulse pressures seemed to be the most protected from a headache. Interestingly, patients with high blood pressure who were receiving treatment seemed to have headache risk similar to that of patients with normal blood pressure.
And other research has suggested that a high diastolic blood pressure, which is the second number in a blood pressure reading, is associated with headaches.
Researchers dont yet know exactly how blood pressure affects headaches. Theories range from altered levels of certain hormones and blood chemicals to differences in artery stiffness. Arteries tend to become stiffer as blood pressure rises, which is one of the main reasons that high blood pressure can lead to blood vessel damage.
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When To See A Doctor
If youre having frequent headaches, its important to determine the cause. Mental health issues, dietary concerns, or circulation problems are just some potential causes.
Make an appointment with your primary care physician. Find out if your blood pressure is in a healthy range, and discuss any concerns that you have with your doctor.
Undiagnosed high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage, heart disease, and other serious complications.
If you have diagnosed high blood pressure and you feel a building pressure in the area of your skull, call for medical assistance right away. This could indicate a hypertensive crisis and needs to be addressed immediately.
Pressure In Head And Eyes
Head pressure accompanied by eye pressure can be a sign of eye strain, allergies, or sinus infections. Migraines and other headaches can also cause eye-related symptoms.
Some causes of head pressure and pain dont require medical treatment. Home remedies and lifestyle changes may help to improve your symptoms.
Tension headaches in particular have been linked to stress, poor sleep, and mental health conditions such as . Menstruation may also cause tension headaches.
Here are a few things to try if you suffer from chronic tension headaches:
- Treat sore muscles with ice or heat.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, naproxen , ibuprofen , or Excedrin can also help.
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Signs Of High Blood Pressure
For most people, there are no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure. Thats why they call it the silent killer. Untreated hypertension can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. If you have extremely high blood pressure, you may have a severe headache, shortness of breath, or a nosebleed, but this level of high blood pressure is unusual and only occurs if high blood pressure reaches a life-threatening level.
Because there are no signs of high blood pressure, the recommendation is that everyone should have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years after age 18. After age 40, you should have it checked at least once each year. The only way to diagnose hypertension is with blood pressure measurements.
Understanding High Blood Pressure Headaches
If you are one of the millions of people who live with high blood pressure, you were probably surprised when your doctor told you that your numbers were higher than they should beespecially because you feel fine.
High blood pressure doesnt typically cause symptoms. However, some people may have headachesespecially if their blood pressure skyrockets into the danger zonea condition known as high blood pressure emergency or urgency.
Heres what you need to know about a high blood pressure headache, what other symptoms may occur, and when to call 911.
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Htn Crisis Without Encephalopathy
Hypertensive crisis is an acute and severe elevation in blood pressure often described as SBP > 180 mmHg, or DBP > 120 mmHg. However, according to the International Headache Classification , the definition is somewhat different . It is discussed in the two subtypes of hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency depending on absence or presence of end organ damage, respectively.13 In addition, higher levels of blood pressure are observed in emergent condition. It is estimated that one to two percent of the hypertensive patients experience at least one episode of crisis in their life.14 The majority of patients have a history of established primary or secondary HTN.15
There is a peak of incidence for HTN crisis between the ages of 40 and 50 years.16 It is more common in males and African Americans. Patients with uncontrolled HTN may be at a higher risk of developing a crisis, although data is inadequate in this regard.17
Some disorders and medical conditions are related to hypertensive crisis renal disorders , Cushing’s disease, poor medication compliance, cocaine and PCP abuse, abrupt withdrawal of some antihypertensive agents such as clonidine, and etcetera.18
Hypertensive crisis needs to be promptly treated in order to prevent lethal complications.
Diagnostic criteria for headaches in HTN crisis without encephalopathy are listed in Table 2.1
Dizziness Headache High Blood Pressure And Nausea Or Vomiting
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 7/13/2021
High blood pressure can occur without associated symptoms but can also be accompanied by dizziness, headache, or other symptoms when it is severely elevated. An extremely high blood pressure is a sign of a medical emergency and warrants immediate attention. Seek immediate medical care if you have markedly high blood pressure with associated symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Outlook For Idiopathic Ih
Idiopathic IH is not usually life threatening, but can be a lifelong problem. While many people find their symptoms are relieved with treatment, but the symptoms can come back and can have a significant impact on your life.
There’s also a risk that you could lose your vision, even though treatment can help reduce this risk.
Permanent vision loss is estimated to happen to 1 in every 5 to 20 people with idiopathic IH.
Find out more about living with IH at the IIH UK website.
Page last reviewed: 21 October 2019 Next review due: 21 October 2022
How Does High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches
Pain levels depend on how high someones blood pressure is. Hypertension headaches may range from mild to severe and are regulated by how much blood is reaching the brain. During times of high blood pressure, blood vessels running through the tissue under the skull constrict or tighten, leading to headache development.
It is also possible for blood pressure medication to cause headaches. Checking blood pressure during headaches can be a good indicator of whether it is caused by abnormal blood pressure levels.
Some medical professionals believe that having a headache due to high blood pressure is a sign of a hypertensive crisis, which is when blood pressure spikes to critical levels.
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Tests For Chronic Intracranial Hypertension
A GP may suspect you have intracranial hypertension if you have symptoms of increased pressure on your brain, such as vision problems and headaches.
You may have several different tests to diagnose IH, such as:
- an examination to check functions such as your muscle strength, reflexes and balance. Any problems could be a sign of an issue with your brain or nerves
- an assessment of your eyes and vision
- a CT scan or MRI scan of your brain
- a lumbar puncture, where a needle is inserted into your spine to check for high pressure in the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord
Idiopathic IH may be diagnosed if you have increased pressure on your brain and no other cause can be found.
Does High Blood Pressure Cause Headache
Hypertension headache may affect everyone, which is common in the United States. Although some researchers claim that headaches and hypertension are not linked, other findings suggest that the two are interconnected. If you are looking to find the most concise explanation of hypertension headache, you are in the right spot. Below, you will learn everything you need about this condition, helping you prepare for and manage a hypertension-caused headache.
Naturally, if you are dealing with an ongoing case of hypertension headache or the symptoms are getting worse, consult a professional. We recommend seeking out chronic care management.
With that in mind, keep reading to find the answer to can high blood pressure cause headaches? and much more.
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