Watch for the Signs

The warning signs of hypertension can be as minimal as a common headache, or as major as mild chest pains. Other signs could include dizziness, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. The presence of symptoms can be a good thing in that they can prompt people to consult a doctor for treatment and make them more compliant in taking their medications. Unfortunately, a person’s first contact with a physician may not be until after significant damage to the organs has already occurred. More often than not, the first and/or only symptom could be an actual heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or impaired vision due to damage to the back part of the retina.

What Signs?

At any rate, there may not even be a single warning sign of hypertension because this condition can be asymptomatic, meaning, there are no signs or symptoms of cardiac distress. This “silent killer can progress to finally develop any one or more of the several potentially fatal complications of hypertension such as heart attacks or strokes. This is the main reason why regular blood pressure screenings are imperative in order to help detect hypertension in its earliest stages. But when there are no signs, the safest way to increase your chances of not developing hypertension is to follow a nutritious diet and an exercise regimen.

It's Complicated

On the other hand, uncomplicated hypertension may be present and remain unnoticed for many years, or even decades. This happens when there are no symptoms and those affected fail to undergo periodic blood pressure screening. Those with uncomplicated hypertension may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. Greater public awareness and frequent blood pressure screening may help to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure before significant complications have developed.