High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Symptoms

People with primary (essential) high blood pressure usually do not have any symptoms. Most people with high blood pressure feel fine. It's during a routine exam or a doctor visit for another problem that they find out they have high blood pressure.

Very severe high blood pressure (160 over 100 or higher), may lead to hypertensive crisis. This is also called hypertensive emergency or malignant high blood pressure. Very severe high blood pressure is a medical emergency. Symptoms of very severe high blood pressure include:

• Headaches, especially pulsating headaches behind the eyes that occur early in the morning.
• Visual disturbances.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Over time, untreated high blood pressure can damage organs, such as the heart, kidneys, or eyes. This may lead to:

• Chest pain (angina), heart attack, or heart failure.
• Stroke.
• Kidney (renal) failure.
• Peripheral arterial disease.
• Eye damage (retinopathy).
• Abnormal heartbeat.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: April 10, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
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