Hypertension: What Is The Link With Headaches
Dr. Gaurangi Shah explain, “Hypertension is a serious health condition that accounts to a huge number of heart attacks, paralysis and is also the second leading cause of kidney failure, after diabetes. It is also known as a silent killer as high blood pressure doesn’t show any symptoms. In most cases after severe complications, hypertension is detected.”
“Headache is one of the symptoms of hypertension but is not always. The reason for headache amongst individuals with high blood pressure is a sudden rise in pressure inside the cranium. The headaches due to high blood pressure occur in the occipital region. This pain does not get relived with an analgesic or painkiller. One will need to reduce their blood pressure for the same.”
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Causes Of Chronic Intracranial Hypertension
Possible causes of chronic intracranial hypertension include:
- a blood clot on the surface of your brain, known as a chronic subdural haematoma
- an infection in your brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis
- hydrocephalus, where fluid builds up around and inside your brain
- abnormal blood vessel, such as an arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous malformation
- a blood clot in one of the veins of your brain, known as a venous sinus thrombosis
Rare causes include a blockage in the circulation of fluid at the bottom of the skull , inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and abnormal skull growth in children .
Your Reading Is Above 140/90
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers. The top number is your systolic blood pressure and the bottom one is your diastolic blood pressure. Generally, a normal blood pressure reading was considered to be more than 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90. However, in 2017, major heart health organisations around the globe unanimously decided to lower the blood pressure levels for the diagnosis of hypertension from the older threshold of 140/90 mm Hg and 150/80 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg and higher for all adults. Based on this new criteria, if your numbers are over 130/80 mm Hg then you should consult a doctor immediately or find ways to lower your blood pressure.
It is essential to keep tabs on your blood pressure, especially when you lead an unhealthy life or have a family history of hypertension. You can easily purchase a blood pressure monitor from your local pharmacy and drugstore to keep a check on your blood pressure. The readings are very accurate and similar to what you would get in a hospital.
Your blood pressure keeps changing constantly to adjust to your bodys activity level, hydration, sleep, food intake, and other factors. In order to get an accurate reading, you may need to take several readings of your blood pressure over time.
Pick a time when you are calm and well-hydrated, and repeat the test weekly or monthly under the same conditions. Write down the dates and readings so that you can take them with you on your next doctors visit.
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Key Points About Increased Intracranial Pressure
- ICP;is a dangerous condition.
- It is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
- Increased intracranial pressure from bleeding in the brain, a tumor, stroke, aneurysm, high blood pressure, brain infection, etc. can cause a headache and other symptoms.
- Treatment includes relieving the brain of the increased pressure.
- ICP;has serious complications including death.
What Does High Blood Pressure Feel Like
High blood pressure or hypertension may signal that your heart is working harder than usual and if left untreated, it can take a serious toll on the health of your cardiovascular system. But does it cause signs and symptoms? And what does it feel like?
What does hypertension feel like?
There is usually no sign and symptom of high blood pressure. But if the level goes up significantly, there may be certain signs and symptoms to occur.
Hypertension is also called as a silent killer. Many times it doesnt cause any symptoms until your blood pressure level is extremely high. In fact, many people with hypertension dont realize when they have it.
The most effective way to keep monitoring the fluctuation is by taking regular checkups. Taking a test for hypertension is simple and practical.
You dont need a blood test like in checking the levels of your cholesterol and blood sugar. Even you can take the test on your own at home.
There are now available many home blood pressure monitor kits that you can use practically. And you dont need to get prescription from your doctor to purchase one.
Although there is no specific sign and symptom of hypertension, people may experience one or some of the following symptoms when their blood pressure is extremely high :
If you in-doubt to your symptoms, consult more with your GP /doctor for more advice and clearly diagnosis.
How about chest pain?
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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.
Family History Of Hypertension
While exercising and healthy eating go a long way towards lowering your blood pressure, there are some risk factors that you may not be able to change.
Genetics is a major contributing factor when it comes to your hearts health, and blood pressure can be hereditary. If you are aware of your immediate family being hypertensive or having had a heart attack before the age of 45 , you should make it a priority to visit a doctor.
Understanding family history is important to recognize the cause of high blood pressure, further evaluating whether it is genetic, poor eating habits or lack of exercise repeating itself across generations is also essential.
Even if you have a family history of high blood pressure, it doesnt mean that you cant take actions to avoid another heart episode in the family. Recognizing high blood pressure is challenging, but with regular blood pressure readings, you can easily track it.
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What Do Tension Headaches Mean
Tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract. The muscle contractions can be a response to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety. They may occur at any age, but are most common in adults and older teens. It is slightly more common in women and tends to run in families.
Blood Pressure And High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries, which are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from your heart towards the rest of your body. Most often, you will receive two numbers.;
Systolic blood pressure is the higher number. It reflects the force when your heart is contracting and pushing blood. Diastolic blood pressure is lower. It is the pressure measured at the time when your heart is relaxing between beats.
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High Blood Pressure And Migraines
There may be a link between high blood pressure andmigraine headache. This is likely complex and multifactorial, says Dr. Grosberg. With migraine, we do know that stiffening and other changes that occur in blood vessels in the brain can contribute to high blood pressure too, but this link needs further exploration.
You can have migraine headache and high blood pressure at the same time and this doesnt mean they are directly related, he explains. The two conditions can coexist.
If your high blood pressure is not well controlled, you should not take migraine drugs known as triptans, Dr. Grosberg warns. These have effects on the blood vessels so one wouldnt want to use these medications in people with poorly controlled blood pressure.
Other over-the-counter or prescription medications may also increase blood pressure, he says. This list includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications , which cause your body to retain fluid, decreasing kidney function, and raising blood pressure. Pain relievers that contain caffeinea stimulantmay also raise blood pressure levels, he says.
Blood Pressure Meds And Headaches
Its possible that your blood pressure medications may play a role in causing headaches, says Dr. Grosberg. Headache is a common side effect of some antihypertensive drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Some blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may reduce headache frequency, independent of their effects on lowering blood pressure. These are sometimes used for headache prevention, he says.
He adds: We dont use these medications for headaches with the thought that they will get blood pressure under control. The idea is, Lets use them for headaches and it may have an added benefit on blood pressure.’
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What Causes Vise Grip Headaches
Symptoms of tension headaches include: A constant headache that does not throb or pulse. You usually feel the pain or pressure on both sides of your head. Tightness around your forehead that may feel like a “vise grip.”
Subsequently, question is, what causes a headache in your temples? Tension-type headaches occur randomly and are often the result of temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, or anger. Symptoms include soreness in your temples, a tightening band-like sensation around your head , a pulling feeling, pressure sensations, and contracting head and neck muscles.
Secondly, how do you stop tension headaches?
How do you get rid of a temple headache?
Here are some tips for headache relief:
Treatments For Chronic Intracranial Hypertension
Treatment for intracranial hypertension depends on the cause, if this is known.
The main treatments for idiopathic IH are:
- losing weight if you’re overweight. This can often help to reduce your symptoms and may sometimes relieve them altogether
- stopping any medicine that may be causing your symptoms, including contraception methods. You will need to use a barrier form of contraception as an alternative, such as condoms
- medicine to remove excess fluid from the body
- medicine to reduce the production of cerebrospinal fluid in your brain
- a short course of steroid medicine to relieve headaches and reduce the risk of vision loss
- regular lumbar punctures to remove excess fluid from your spine and help reduce the pressure on your brain
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How Long Does A Tension
That depends. A tension-type headache may last for 30 minutes or months. In general, episodic tension headache symptoms tend to come on slowly and end sooner. They often happen in the middle of the day. Episodic headaches usually dont last longer than a week.
People with chronic tension-type headaches can have symptoms that last for months at a time. Pain may stay at the same level of discomfort for days. While uncommon, these headaches can take a toll on your quality of life.
When To Consult A Doctor
If you have been having frequent headaches and your blood pressure is higher than 180/120. You can be a case of malignant hypertension and you need to see your physician immediately. if you have already been treated for hypertension you might need to change your medications as they are not working for you anymore.
Along with this undiagnosed hypertension can lead to adverse facts on several other organs such as causing kidney damage, heart disease, brain damage, and ocular problems.
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Can A Migraine Cause High Blood Pressure
During migraine attacks, some people report elevated blood pressure, which may be part of an autonomic response to pain, says Teshamae Monteith, MD, the chief of the headache division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, who is also on the editorial board of the American Migraine Foundation.
People may not have blood pressure problems between migraine attacks, but when migraine attacks are frequent, blood pressure abnormalities become more concerning, Dr. Monteith says, noting that in such cases, a doctor may prescribe hypertension medications such as beta-blockers to help prevent migraine attacks.
In other cases, headache accompanied by high blood pressure can sometimes be a sign of another underlying condition, says Monteith. This can be particularly true in cases of supine hypertension, in which a persons blood pressure rises when they lie down.
People with sleep apnea may also experience both migraine and hypertension in the morning, and rare conditions such as;pheochromocytoma, or tumors in the endocrine system, can also cause high blood pressure alongside intermittent headaches, she says.
When To See Your Doctor
In most cases, episodic headaches will go away within 48 hours. If you have a headache that lasts more than two days or that increases in intensity, you should see your doctor for assistance.
If youre getting headaches more than 15 days out of the month over a period of three months, you might have a chronic headache condition. You should see your doctor to find out whats wrong, even if youre able to manage the pain with aspirin or ibuprofen.
Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health conditions, and some do require treatment beyond OTC medications and home remedies.
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When Should I Call The Doctor
Most headaches arent dangerous. Rarely, headache pain can be a sign of a serious medical problem. You should seek immediate medical care if you have:
- Stiff neck.
- Sudden, severe headache that gets worse quickly.
- Fever that doesnt go away.
- Headache after concussion .
- Confused thoughts or slurred speech or weakness.
- New onset headache over the age of 50.
- Sudden change in your headache pattern.
- New onset headache in someone with cancer or autoimmune disease.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Almost everyone experiences tension headaches. But that doesnt mean you need to live with the pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be enough to relieve minor symptoms. If you have a headache more days than not, reach out to your provider for guidance. Medication and stress management help many people reduce the impact of tension headaches on their life. Massage, meditation, exercise or talking to someone you trust are just some of your options. The best stress-management therapy is the one that works for your lifestyle and feels right to you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/04/2021.
References
Does High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches
in the United States. This common condition has little to no symptoms, which means that many people who have high blood pressure dont even know that they have it.
Having high blood pressure is also a strong indicator of increased risk for:
Thats why its important to have your blood pressure checked at least annually by a medical professional.
Theres ongoing medical research into the correlation between high blood pressure and headaches.
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A Quick Overview On Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are pretty common in the US, affecting about 35 million each year. It commonly happens when there is a swelling in the nose due to flu or common colds. Sinus infections also tend to occur frequently due to structural problems of the sinus, blocked ducts, nasal polyps, or immune system malfunctions. Unfortunately, sinus infections can cause a plethora of symptoms, which include severe headaches.;
Chiropractic Atlas Adjustment For Headaches
Headaches can pester you for days, causing you to miss out on activities or experiencing waves of emotion ranging from fear to depression. Thankfully, you can tap into natural and holistic remedies for headaches, such as a chiropractic atlas adjustment.
Whether your symptoms stem from a sinus infection, scalp pressure, excessive caffeine intake, or other factors, an upper cervical care chiropractor can help.;
Upper cervical care is a unique, precise, and gentle approach to restoring your bodys vitality and balance. It realigns shifted neck bones to relieve pressure on the nerves and muscles that they have impacted. Once fully repaired, the neck bones can perform their ultimate function once more to protect the brainstem.;
Consequently, your brainstem can function smoothly, providing your brain the necessary information to heal faster and prevent the same mishap.;
Locate an upper cervical care doctor near you today to learn more about atlas adjustment.
to schedule a consultation today.
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What Do High Blood Pressure Headaches Feel Like
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