Tuesday, March 26, 2024
HomeFactsHow Does It Feel To Have High Blood Pressure

How Does It Feel To Have High Blood Pressure

Symptoms Of Sudden High Blood Pressure

How Do You Feel When You Have High Blood Pressure?

Unlike traditional high blood pressure, where there are no visual symptoms until major damage has occurred, sudden high blood pressure alerts you immediately.

  • Weakness or numbness in arms, legs, face
  • Mentality changes such as anxiety, fatigue, confusion, restlessness

In extreme cases of sudden high blood pressure, there may be bleeding from damaged blood vessels, blindness from ruptured retina nerves or vessels, and possibly seizures.

What Is The Pritikin Program For Lowering Blood Pressure

The Pritikin Program, taught by the dietitians, exercise physiologists, physicians, and psychologists at the Pritikin Longevity Center, addresses all the adverse effects associated with hypertension by:

  • Providing at least 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruits daily, which help ensure that you eat plenty of foods that are full of stomach-filling volume yet are low in calories, enhancing weight-loss efforts. Losing excess weight is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure in the short term. Eating plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables also means youll be eating excellent sources of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Many studies have found that foods rich in these minerals help blunt some of the toxic effects of sodium.
  • Cutting back on calorie-dense foods loaded with fat, sugar, and/or refined grains to promote weight-loss efforts.
  • Limiting the consumption of sodium to a healthy level less than 1,500 mg daily for people under 50 years, less than 1,300 mg daily for those 50 to 69 years, and no more than 1,200 mg daily for people 70 years and older.
  • Discouraging excess alcohol drinking .
  • Adding a daily exercise regime that aids in weight loss and stimulates nitric oxide production, a beneficial chemical that relaxes muscles in the artery walls and lowers blood pressure.
  • Getting an adequate intake of calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D by consuming moderate amounts of nonfat dairy foods or soymilk, seafood, and a little sunshine.

Negative Effects Of Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one out of every three American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Because high blood pressure is so common, it might be tempting to assume that its no big deal. But the truth is, that when left untreated, high blood pressure can put you at risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Here are eight ways that uncontrolled high blood pressure can negatively affect your health:

  • It raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure damages the walls of your arteries. This makes them more likely to develop deposits of plaque that harden, narrow or block your arteries. These deposits also can lead to blood clots. Blood clots can flow through your bloodstream and block blood flow to your heart or brain, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
  • It makes you more likely to develop heart failure. When your arteries are hardened or narrowed, your heart has to work harder to circulate your blood. This increased workload can cause your heart to become larger and fail to supply your organs with blood.
  • You may experience chest pain. Chest pain, also called angina, occurs when the heart does not get the blood it needs. When people with high blood pressure perform activities such as walking uphill, going up steps, or exercising, angina can cause pressure, squeezing, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the chest.
  • Blurry vision or other vision problems
  • Dizziness
  • Recommended Reading: Claritin And Blood Pressure

    Blood Pressure Is Mostly A Silent Disease

    Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms.

    Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure. Often, these are late signs that high blood pressure has existed for some time, therefore annual checks are recommended for all adults.

    How Does High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches

    What Does High Blood Pressure Feel Like?

    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.

    Recommended Reading: How Does Alcohol Increase Blood Pressure Mechanism

    High Blood Pressure Treatment

    The best way to lower blood pressure begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure. These are called antihypertensive medicines.

    The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels. Your doctor may prescribe medicine thats easy to take and has few, if any, side effects. This treatment is highly successful. If your blood pressure can only be controlled with medicine, youll need to take the medicine for the rest of your life. It is common to need more than one medicine to help control your blood pressure. Dont stop taking the medicine without talking with your doctor. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

    Also Check: Do Onions Lower Blood Pressure

    What Are The Nitrate

    What nitrate-rich foods should you be eating and which of them are approved by Dr. Sebi? Generally, you should be eating only plant-based nitrate foods in the first place.

    But according to Dr. Sebis advice, not all plant-based foods are natural or even healthy. And thats because many of the foods, although plant-derived, may be hybridized, GMO, processed and hence potentially as dangerous as animal-based derivatives. That is why we stick to the approved list of foods on the Dr. Sebis nutritional guide.

    So, the nitrate rich foods you should be eating to naturally lower and reverse high blood pressure are nitrate-rich foods found in leafy greens and vegetables listed on the nutritional guide.

    Below is a list of the best nitrate-rich foods listed on the Dr. Sebi Nutritional Guide and their nutritional facts.

    Also Check: Does Hot Sauce Cause High Blood Pressure

    Don’t Miss: Blood Pressure Mayo Clinic

    How Blood Pressure Is Measured

    Hypertension can be mild, moderate or severe. Your blood pressure is naturally higher when you are exerting yourself, such as during physical exercise. It is only a concern if your blood pressure is high when you are at rest, because this means your heart is overworked and your arteries have extra stress in their walls.Blood pressure readings are a combination of two measurements. These are:

    • Systolic is the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130mmHg.
    • Diastolic is the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80mmHg.

    Making The Exercise Habit Stick

    Are There Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure? I Ask Cleveland Clinic’s Expert

    Despite our best intentions, many of us struggle ditching our sedentary lifestyle. But there are steps you can take to make exercise less intimidating and more fun.

    Start small and build momentum. If exercising for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week sounds overwhelming, set a smaller goal and gradually build up as you gain self-confidence and momentum.

    Reward yourself. Once it becomes a regular habit, exercise will reward you with more energy, better sleep, a greater sense of well-being, and improved cardiovascular health. When youre starting out, though, give yourself a simple reward for successfully completing a workout, such as having a hot bath or a favorite cup of coffee.

    Choose activities you enjoy. Youre more likely to stick with a workout you find pleasurable. If you hate running but like yoga or dancing, for example, dont force yourself onto the treadmill every day. Pick activities that fit your lifestyle, abilities, and taste.

    See How to Start Exercising and Stick to It to learn more.

    The effects on your blood pressure

    • 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, for five days of the week can reduce your reading by 4 to 11 mm Hg.

    Read Also: Can Claritin Raise Your Blood Pressure

    Stop Using Your Phone Immediately

    This is an immediate treatment for high blood pressureat home.

    During a phone call, blood pressure readings changed from 121/77 to 129/88.

    The reason behind this drastic change is bioelectromagnetic rays emitting from phones during a call.

    They increase the heart rate and cause dizziness.

    If you feel symptoms of hypertension in an instant, avoid using the phone immediately.

    Furthermore, the WIFI should not be switched on all day long. They emit rays that increase BP immediately.

    These are some study-based researches on how to lower blood pressure immediately at home.

    Also Check: Does Claritin D Raise Blood Pressure

    Heart Attack And Heart Disease

    High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:

    • Chest pain, also called angina.
    • Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
    • Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.

    Read Also: Can You Take Claritin With High Blood Pressure

    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.

    ———-

      111 Lawrence Street, Framingham, MA 01702

    4 Claim is based on the number of subscribers.

    Causes And Risk Factors

    What Does High Blood Pressure Feel Like  When Start ...

    You may be at an increased risk for high blood pressure if you smoke, areoverweight, eat a diet thats low on produce and fiber and/or high in fatand salt, drink alcohol to excess, live with chronic stress or dont getmuch physical activity. Some causes of hypertension cannot becontrolledincluding your genes and your race . Aging also plays a role. Even if you do not have hypertensionby age 55 to 65, your lifetime risk for developing it is a whopping 90percent.

    But doctors no longer consider hypertension inevitable or untreatable withage, saysSamuel Durso, M.D.,director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at JohnsHopkins.

    In one Johns Hopkins study of 975 older women and men with hypertension,healthy lifestyle steps helped 40 percent stop taking blood pressuremedications. Other research has shown that lifestyle changes can lower therisk for hypertension in African-Americans and others at an increasedgenetic risk.

    Don’t Miss: What Makes Your Bp High

    How To Prevent Sudden High Blood Pressure Problem

    In 2013, more than 360,000 deaths in the United States had high blood pressure as primary or contributing cause. Each year, the government spends an estimated $46 billion for workers missed days, health care services, and high blood pressure medications. Talk to your doctor about treatment for high blood pressure medications. In the meantime, there are precautions you can take right now.

    1. Avoid Stress

    Become involved in hobbies such as painting, exercise, and other physical activities to have a stress outlet and keep fit.

    2. Limit Caffeine Intake

    Talk with your doctor about your caffeine habits and stick to a plan to limit your daily intake.

    3. Quit Smoking

    As one of the biggest health risks, smoking can lead to serious heart and lung conditions and death.

    4. Eat Healthy Foods

    Avoid saturated fats and junk food to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

    5. Reduce Sodium in Diet

    Added salt and salt found in food products can lead to high blood pressure as it increases the solute content in our blood.

    6. Exercise Regularly

    A healthy heart, and body, requires regular exercise daily for 20 to 30 minutes.

    7. Monitor Vitals

    It is important to keep an eye on your blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, especially if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

    What Should I Do If My Blood Pressure Is 160 Over 100

    Your physician Three visits are appropriate if the blood pressure is greater than 160/100 mmHg. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg, youll need five visits to get a diagnosis. Hypertension may be diagnosed if either the systolic or diastolic blood pressure remains high.

    You May Like: High Blood Pressure Shaky

    Quitting Smoking And Limiting Alcohol

    If youre a smoker and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will most likely advise you to quit. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the bodys tissues and harden blood vessel walls.

    If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Drinking alcohol in excess can raise blood pressure.

    If you have risk factors for hypertension, you can take steps now to lower your risk for the condition and its complications.

    Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure

    What does high blood pressure feel like?

    There are many natural ingredients that help to lower blood pressure fast.

    Although taking a supplement might not instantly bring down your blood pressure, taking them regularly can help to relatively quickly treat hypertension naturally.

    What are the best supplements that help lower blood pressure?

    Read Also: Does Spicy Food Cause High Blood Pressure

    Recommended Reading: Can You Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension

    How Does Blood Pressure Work

    Blood pressure is the force against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps blood. When the heart squeezes and pushes blood into the vessels, blood pressure goes up. It comes down when the heart relaxes.

    Blood pressure changes from minute to minute. It’s affected by activity and rest, body temperature, diet, emotions, posture, and medicines.

    Making Changes If You Have Anxiety Or Depression

    If your high blood pressure is co-occurring with a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety, it can be even tougher to find the energy and motivation to make the necessary lifestyle changes. Just thinking about exercising or preparing a healthy meal, for example, can seem overwhelming. But by focusing all your efforts on one tiny change at a time, youll find that youre capable of more than you realized.

    Take the first step. It could be as simple as going for a walk or downloading a meditation app or buying some nicotine patches. It can take time for lifestyle changes to register as a reduction in blood pressurebut sometimes they can improve your mood much sooner. Taking that first step is always the hardest.

    Focus on small steps. Its easy to get overwhelmed by daily life when youre battling depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder. By taking small but positive steps each day, though, youll find that your energy and outlook will gradually start to improve. Once you feel happier and more positive, youll find it easier to forge ahead with lifestyle changes and see the results in both your blood pressure readings and your overall outlook and wellbeing.

    Affordable Online Therapy for Anxiety or Depression

    Get professional help from BetterHelps network of licensed therapists.

    Need urgent help? .

    Recommended Reading: Mayo Clinic Blood Pressure

    Whats The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure

    High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:

    • coronary heart disease where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
    • strokes a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
    • heart attacks a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked

    Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.

    Secondary High Blood Pressure

    I Have High Blood Pressure: What Do I Need to Know ...

    Some cases of high blood pressure are the result of underlying factors or cause and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.

    Underlying factors include:

    • kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease
    • narrowing of the arteries
    • hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome
    • conditions that affect the bodys tissue, such as lupus
    • medication, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers that are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
    • recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal meth

    Occasionally, a rise in blood pressure can result from taking herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.

    You May Like: Claritin And Blood Pressure Meds

    Learning To Cope With Stress Can Help

    Stress and hypertension have often been linked, but researchers are still looking into a direct relationship between the two. Still, the best advice to hypertensive patients: Try to relax.

    When you are stressed, your body sends stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. These hormones create a temporary spike in blood pressure, causing your heart to beat faster and blood vessels to narrow. When the stressful situation is over, blood pressure goes back to its normal level.

    Chronic stress, however, may cause your body to stay in this highly-charged state longer than natural.

    While stress itself may or may not affect blood pressure, how you cope with stress does. For instance, overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol in response to stressful situations are direct causes of sustained high blood pressure. On the flip side, healthier coping mechanisms like exercising, practicing yoga and meditating can all help lower blood pressure.

    Dont Miss: What Does A Hypertension Headache Feel Like

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Popular Articles