High Blood Pressure Headache

  
site about high blood pressure and headaches.
 


 
 

 

High Blood Pressure and Headaches

 

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is abnormally high pressure of the blood pushing through the arteries.  When you have high blood pressure your heart works faster, and your arteries can be damaged. Untreated it can cause major damage to other organs, especially the kidneys.  In most people high blood pressure does not show any symptoms, which is why it is known as the silent killer. 

Many people who have high blood pressure think that if they have headache, their blood pressure has gone up.  At one time headaches were thought to be a symptom, but studies have shown that the opposite is true.  People with high blood pressure actually have less headaches.   Extremely high blood pressure at an emergency level may or may not cause a headache.  At this point, a patient should be hospitalized to bring their pressure down. 


High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke.  One of the signs of a stroke is the sudden onset of a headache for no known reason.  If the other signs of a stroke are present, it is important to call 9-1-1 immediately.  Those signs are:

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
  • Confusion or trouble speaking
  • Vision is impaired
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble walking

Bottom line, if you are getting headaches, it does not have anything to do with your blood pressure.  If they continue it’s best to see your doctor to determine the cause before any kind of treatment is started.  There are so many causes of headaches that we couldn’t list them all here.  Among the most common are:

  • Tension
  • Worry
  • Shock
  • Depression
  • Second Hand Smoke
  • Allergies
  • Fatigue
  • Repressed Emotions
  • Chronic Stress
  • Sensitivity to Light
  • Eyestrain

Secondary headaches are headaches caused by certain illnesses, including brain tumors, meningitis, caffeine withdrawal, or discontinuation of pain relievers. 

Remember, high blood pressure will not cause you to have a headache. 


 
 


Add Your Comments about High Blood Pressure Headache:

Name: Safonya Jenkins Date: Tuesday, Jun 15 2010

I have a history of High blood pressure, I had an awfull headache for approx-4 days no pounding just an headache that sits in two areas of my head back nape neck and top head, when my doctor change my blood presure medication i notice my headache pains started to ease few hours later it was gone, when i had this headaace no pain medication could stop it, but Hypertention medication did work and it also has cholesterol medication that really help me. so i think that high blood pressure does cause headaches that can lead to heart attack or stroke Diovan is a good medication for blood pressure and high cholesterol it works for me ask your doctor.

Name: Safonya Jenkins Date: Friday, May 28 2010

i also have high blood pressure and i do have headaches. when i do have a headache ill check my blood pressure and it is high. this is very inaccurate!!!

Name: mel Date: Tuesday, Apr 27 2010

I agree. My mother has high blood pressure and the first thing she complains about is her head hurting. This article is very misleading as you said.

Name: Sophie Date: Monday, Apr 26 2010

This comment is not true. I have high blood pressure and one of the first signs of my rising blood pressure are bad headaches and tiredness. As my blood pressure rises the headache can be excrutiating however after a certain point, when my blood pressure is at it's highest then i notice that there is no headache just many other uncomfortable symptoms instead. I had a treadmill stress test last week at the Cardiologists office which had to be aborted because my blood pressure rose to 222/128. As it rose, my head started pounding and I had a bad headache for the rest of the eveneing until my blodd pressure got back down to normal.Several women I know with high blood pressure will also tell you that they often experience headaches while their blood pressure is high. This article is extremely misleading!

  
 


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