Additional Coverage:
- A Cardiologist Shares The 6 ‘Most Common’ Signs Your Blood Pressure Is Too High: ‘We Call It The Silent Killer’ (shefinds.com)
High Blood Pressure: Recognizing the Silent Killer
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often presents no noticeable symptoms, earning it the grim moniker, “the silent killer.” This makes regular monitoring crucial.
Cardiologist Dr. Evan S.
Levine, known for his informative TikTok videos on heart health, highlights the importance of annual blood pressure checks and offers insights into potential warning signs. If you can’t afford regular doctor visits, at-home blood pressure cuffs are a viable option.
While often asymptomatic, hypertension can manifest in several ways. Dr. Levine outlines some common symptoms:
- Headaches: Headaches, particularly those concentrated at the back or across the entire head, can be a sign of high blood pressure.
- Blurred Vision: The American Heart Association links blurred vision to hypertension-related blood vessel damage in the eyes. This symptom warrants immediate medical attention, as it can impact daily activities like driving.
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, even during simple activities like walking, can indicate high blood pressure. In severe cases, shortness of breath can occur even at rest. Seek medical help if you experience this.
- Chest Pain: Chest pain, especially during physical activity, could signal that the heart is overworking due to elevated blood pressure. This symptom is serious and requires immediate medical evaluation.
- Nosebleeds: While some medical professionals debate the connection between nosebleeds and high blood pressure, frequent nosebleeds should be discussed with a doctor.
- Frothy Urine: This unusual symptom can indicate protein in the urine, a potential consequence of high blood pressure.
Dr. Levine emphasizes that the absence of symptoms is the most common and dangerous aspect of hypertension. Regular monitoring is the best defense against the potentially devastating consequences of this condition.