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.
How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure
Theres only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: Have a doctor or other health professional measure it. Measuring your blood pressure is quick and painless.
Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure monitoring.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.
Stroke And Brain Problems
High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.
Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks®external icon campaign.
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Blood Pressure Checks During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, even if it is not high.
Watching your blood pressure while you are pregnant reduces your risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia where there is a problem with the placenta .
Symptoms Of Back Pain
Here are a few sensations and symptoms of back pain.
Shooting pain that moves up and down the spine
Pain that radiates towards the legs
Pain when trying to stand up straight
Aches in the lower back
Lack of flexibility in and around the back
Although back pain requires you to seek medical attention, posture and daily movement-related symptoms of back pain are usually short-lived. Moreover, it is essential to know that high blood pressure also causes aches in parts of the body where the blood vessels narrow.
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Certain Pain Relievers Can Raise Blood Pressure
People with chronic pain take many pain relievers like Advil. Advil falls into the category of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 7. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can raise blood pressure 8.
The following medications are NSAIDs:
- Advil
- Etodolac
- Oxaprozin
They raise blood pressure because they can cause your body to retain water, sodium and cause kidney problems. NSAIDS can reduce the effect of many blood pressure drugs complicating the problem even more 9.
High Blood Pressure Facts
What every adult should know about high blood pressure, or hypertension
There’s a good reason why every doctor’s appointment starts with a blood pressure check. While one in three American adults has high blood pressure, about 20% of people are unaware that they have it because it is largely symptomless.
In fact, most people find out they have high blood pressure during a routine office visit.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when that force is too high and begins harming the body. If left untreated, it willl eventually cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers: The top systolic blood pressure measures the force pushing against artery walls when the heart is contracting. The bottom diastolic blood pressure measures pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.
Normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg/80 mmHg or lower. At risk levels are 120-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg. Readings of 140 mmHg/90 mmHg or higher are defined as high blood pressure.
Here are six other things you should know about high blood pressure.
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Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.
Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.
Having one high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day. Feeling anxious or stressed when you visit your GP can raise your blood pressure .
Therefore, your GP will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see whether your blood pressure level is consistently high.
Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for conditions that are known to cause an increase in blood pressure, such as kidney infections.
You may also be given a blood pressure device to take home so that you can record your blood pressure level throughout the day. This also helps to identify white coat syndrome and therefore helps to identify the best treatment options for you.
A Final Caution: Stroke Symptoms
Since high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, make sure that your family members and caregivers also know the signs of stroke. They should take immediate action if you suddenly experience:
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Trouble walking, or lack of balance or coordination
- Severe headache
- Stay aware and seek high blood pressure treatment
Some people may have a tendency to ignore or deny hypertension symptoms because they dont want to go to the doctor or the emergency room, they dont want to admit the possibility of being ill, or they dont understand the seriousness.A key part of healthy aging is communicating health concerns to your doctor or nurse. That includes getting immediate attention to and treatment for potential symptoms of a high blood pressure crisis.Dont disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of what you read here. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis or treatment it is provided as is without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Always consult a healthcare provider if you have specific questions about any medical matter, and seek professional attention immediately if you think you or someone in your care may be suffering from a health condition.
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Protecting Your Cardiovascular Health
The good news is that your doctor can identify high blood pressure with regular checks. If found, it can be successfully treated using a combination of medication and heart-healthy lifestyle changesor sometimes, lifestyle changes alone.
Making small changes to your habits, such as eating a lower sodium diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can lower your blood pressure by 10-20 mmHg or more. And, if your doctor has prescribed blood pressure medication, it is important that you take it as directed.
Taking high blood pressure seriously and following your doctors treatment instructions can lower your risks of serious complications and make a big difference in your overall health.
If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or think you might be at risk, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider today.
Regular Blood Pressure Checks If Diagnosed With High Blood Pressure
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your blood pressure will need to be closely monitored until it is brought under control.
After your blood pressure has been controlled, your GP or practice nurse will measure your blood pressure at agreed regular intervals .
It is important you attend these appointments to ensure your blood pressure is being maintained within an acceptable range.
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Change In Mental Status
This can be a difficult symptom to deal with because when we become confused we may not be able to respond with appropriate judgment. Its important that people who are usually around you are able to recognize the signs of changes in mental status: muddled thinking, changes in speech, unusual behavior and even simply reduced activity. There are many other possible causes for this symptom besides hypertension, including stroke or possibly an unreported head injury, so always seek medical attention if you experience changes in consciousness. Make sure that family members and caregivers know what to watch for, and know that any sign of quickly changing mental status is an emergency that requires immediate medical response.
How Common Is High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common condition, it is estimated that 18% of adult men and 13% of adult women have high blood pressure but are not getting treatment for it.
In 90-95% of cases, there is no single identifiable reason for a rise in blood pressure. But all available evidence shows that lifestyle plays a significant role in regulating your blood pressure.
Risk factors for high blood pressure include:
- age
- poor diet
- being overweight
- excessive alcohol consumption.
Also, for reasons not fully understood, people of Afro-Caribbean and South Asian origin are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other ethnic groups.
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The Adrenal Glands Release Adrenaline
Pain can cause the release of adrenaline which signals the blood vessels to constrict and re-directs the blood flow. The bodys ability to feel pain decreases when adrenaline is released. This is why a person may be able to run pain free, even though they may have a leg injury 3.
Then as soon as their adrenaline calms down, they feel pain and realize theres an injury. This whole reaction causes a temporary spike to their blood pressure levels.
Improper Blood Pressure Readings
Some people experience white coat hypertension, which can occur when medical settings bring on anxiety, leading to high blood pressure readings.
These measurements can incorrectly give the picture of hypertension in the doctors office, and that means people may end up on unnecessary blood pressure medications.
To offset this, people can take their blood pressure readings at home, and then compare those readings to measurements at their doctors office.
If the blood pressure numbers are higher in a doctors office, taking a blood pressure at home provides and their healthcare provider with an accurate picture of what the blood pressure is in a natural environment, said Jackson.
To get as accurate a measurement as possible at home, take your blood pressure using a portable device that is well-calibrated and has good batteries.
Prepare for blood pressure readings by emptying your bladder, avoiding cigarettes or caffeine for 30 minutes before the measurement, and sitting quietly for a few minutes before taking a reading.
410,000 American deaths, or almost 1,100 deaths a day, involved high blood pressure as a primary or contributing cause.
Under current guidelines, normal blood pressure is having a systolic number of less than 120 and a diastolic number of less than 80.
Stage I hypertension occurs when the systolic number is between 130 to 139 and the diastolic is between 80 to 89. Stage II hypertension is a systolic greater than 140 and a diastolic greater than 90.
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Treating High Blood Pressure
Treatment for high blood pressure will depend on your blood pressure levels and your associated risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or stroke.
There are seven main risk factors for developing a cardiovascular disease. These are:
- age
- smoking
- obesity
- having a high level of cholesterol in your blood
- having a family history of cardiovascular disease .
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Pain In Back Of Neck
Just like back pain, the cause and effect might be the other way around: your neck pain could be contributing to your high blood pressure. Researchers believe that nervous signals come from the neck and play a part in the transfer of blood. If the neck signaling system is in trouble, it can affect blood transfer and contribute to high blood pressure.
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The Cold Pressor Test
The cold pressor test 11, like the one above, is very effective when evaluating how pain and stress affect the human body. What is the cold pressor test?
The cold pressor test is used clinically to evaluate cardiovascular functions during pain and stress. A participants hand is immersed into cold water for a period of time. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate are recorded prior to, during and after the immersion.
In another cold pressor study, students performed the test and used water measured and maintained at 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit . While the participants hands were immersed in the cold water, blood pressure increased from approximately 120/77 to 138/86 mmHg 12.
Studies have shown people who have a lower tolerance to pain show a greater increase in blood pressure than people with a higher tolerance. Even though, blood pressure increased in both groups 13.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also happen during pregnancy.
You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
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How Much Will Pain Increase Blood Pressure
Pain will increase mean blood pressure by 20 mmHg. A study measured blood pressure before, during and after immersing a participants hand in cold water measured at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The blood pressure increased 20 mmHg while feeling pain in the hand.
The study was split up into three sessions:
The mean blood pressure increased 20 mmHg while the participant felt the pain from the cold. After removing the hand, their blood pressure immediately dropped and almost returned back to their previous pressure in only three minutes 10.
Options For People With High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure or heart conditions and would like to take pain control medications, discuss your options with your doctor beforehand. Most experts agree that acetaminophen and aspirin are the safest pain relief choices for people with high blood pressure. However, not everyone should use aspirin. Ask your doctor if aspirin is safe for you if you take medications for high blood pressure. Aspirin may also cause ulcers, heartburn, and upset stomach, and it can be dangerous to take if you have gout, liver disease, rheumatic fever, or if used in children. Pregnant women also should not take aspirin as it can be unsafe for both mother and baby.
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Pain And High Blood Pressure
Pain is one of the easiest ways to increase your blood pressure, and experiencing pain is quite common after many surgeries.
While severe pain is not common after surgery, it would be normal to have a higher blood pressure when experiencing moderate to severe pain than when pain-free. For some individuals, even minor pain can lead to elevated blood pressure readings.
Your increased blood pressure may be the result of the fact that it is painful to sit in the waiting room of your doctor’s office after surgery, or it may be painful for you to walk to the examination room before your blood pressure is taken.
Perhaps you experienced mild to moderate pain most of the day during your first few days of recovery, which can certainly cause an increase in blood pressure.
Can Enlarged Spleen Cause High Blood Pressure
4.9/5abnormal enlargementspleenbloodandincreased blood pressurespleen
Also, does the spleen affect blood pressure?
Summary: High blood pressure is a leading cause of death around the world, and its prevalence continues to rise. A new study shows that a protein in the spleen called placental growth factor plays a critical role in activating a harmful immune response that leads to the onset of high blood pressure in mice.
Furthermore, can autoimmune disease cause enlarged spleen? Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome is an inherited disorder in which the body cannot properly regulate the number of immune system cells . Accumulation of excess lymphocytes results in enlargement of the lymph nodes , the liver , and the spleen .
Also asked, what are the symptoms of spleen problems?
An enlarged spleen may cause:
- No symptoms in some cases.
- Pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen that may spread to the left shoulder.
- Feeling full without eating or after eating only a small amount from the enlarged spleen pressing on your stomach.
- Anemia.
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