Signs Your Blood Pressure Is Dangerously High

A blood pressure reading is part of nearly every health examination. This essential diagnostic tool is a primary indicator of what’s going on inside your body and how hard your heart has to work to pump nutrient-rich blood throughout your body.

But have you ever thought about why this one test is so important and why you should know high blood pressure becomes dangerous? Our skilled providers at Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic, located in New Albany, Mississippi, monitor your blood pressure and teach you the signs to recognize when your blood pressure is dangerously high. Knowing your numbers can literally save your life. 

Blood pressure explained

You probably know that blood pressure is recorded using two numbers. These numbers represent the force or pressure of the circulating blood within your arteries. 

The heart creates a majority of the pressure as it pumps blood throughout your body’s circulatory system. If you have healthy blood pressure, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard.

But if you have high blood pressure — a top number (systolic pressure) of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a bottom number (diastolic pressure) of 80 mm Hg or higher — the force of blood on the walls can result in serious or life-threatening medical conditions like damage to blood vessels as well as a heart attack, heart disease, or stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all Americans or about 103 million United States adults have high blood pressure.  And many of these people don’t even know they have high blood pressure. No wonder it’s often called the silent killer. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. High blood pressure tends to run in families. If a family member has high blood pressure, be vigilant about knowing your numbers. Make sure our team knows about your medical history, and make a point of getting regular checkups and blood pressure readings.

The following are some signs that your blood pressure might be dangerously high.

Shortness of breath, confusion, headaches and dizziness, or blurred vision

Headaches and dizziness are possible signs that your blood pressure is too high. Another common collection of symptoms include shortness of breath, confusion, or blurred vision. 

These signs can easily be mistaken for many other conditions, which makes knowing your blood pressure numbers that much more important. 

Chest pain, nausea, and vomiting

The signs of having dangerously high pressure can also mirror the symptoms of a heart attack. That includes chest pain, nausea, and vomiting. 

Over time uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause coronary arteries to narrow. In the United States, heart disease stands as the top cause of death for men and women of all racial and ethnic groups.

Despite these somber statistics, you have the power to discover and treat high blood pressure simply by monitoring your blood pressure with our team at Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic. 

Our providers can guide through making lifestyle modifications, like eating a healthy low salt diet and exercising regularly. That not only enhances your heart health but also your overall wellness.

If you have been experiencing any of these signs of high blood pressure or think you are at risk for developing it, contact Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic. Request an appointment online, or call the office today.