A quarter of the world's population suffers from hypertension, and half of them do not feel the symptoms of this disease. Hypertension is a common health problem that causes many health risks such as heart disease and stroke. (1) Discover the hypertension symptoms and the ways to manage!
What are the hypertension symptoms?
Hypertension is referred to as the "silent killer"; half of people do not feel hypertension until it is measured using blood pressure measuring devices; it often does not cause any significant symptoms. However, if hypertension continues for long periods or rises to very high levels above 180/120 mm Hg, symptoms appear such as: (2)(3)
- Severe, persistent headache: This is one of the early signs of hypertension.
- Dizziness and vertigo, especially when standing up suddenly.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain: This is due to stress on the heart muscle.
- Vision changes: Such as blurred vision or double vision.
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis): This is due to increased pressure on the blood vessels in the nose, causing bleeding.
- Other symptoms:
oPalpitation.
oNausea and vomiting.
oGeneral fatigue and exhaustion.
oInability to concentrate.
oFeeling a pulse in the chest, neck, or ear.
oHematuria.
How to manage symptoms of hypertension?
Here are some steps you can take to manage symptoms of hypertension: (4)
- Maintain a healthy weight and lose excess weight (especially from the abdominal area); by following a healthy diet and doing appropriate exercises.
(Losing 1 kilogram of excess weight == contributes to reducing blood pressure by 1 mm Hg).
- Do regular exercise such as brisk walking or cycling for 30 minutes daily.
(Regular physical activity == contributes to reducing blood pressure by 5-8 mm Hg).
- Follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in salts and saturated fats, and try to increase the amount of potassium in your diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Get enough sleep at night for at least 6 hours and try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day; all of this helps to keep blood pressure levels within the normal range.
- Control anxiety and stress, learn methods and strategies that help you relieve stress such as meditation and deep breathing.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly: especially if you have factors that increase your risk of developing hypertension such as: old age, high cholesterol levels, and a family history of heart disease.
- Commit to medical treatment after diagnosis; to prevent symptoms of hypertension from appearing and avoid its dangerous health complications. You must also follow medical advice carefully and take medications regularly.
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel any of the above symptoms of hypertension, especially severe headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath, you should go to the doctor immediately to measure your blood pressure, and then develop an appropriate treatment plan to treat it and avoid complications of the disease. (5)
Do you suspect that you have hypertension? Do not hesitate to visit Al-Ahli Heart Center. Our center provides comprehensive care to diagnose and treat blood pressure problems by a team of the most skilled consultants and doctors specializing in cardiovascular surgery.
