If you are reading this, you likely have been told that you have elevated blood pressure at some point in the past. But if you ever have severe symptoms, it is sometimes difficult to know if your symptoms are a sign of something serious - when do we call our doctor? When do we call 9-1-1? Are my symptoms related to my heart, or is it just heartburn? Knowing your body is crucial in knowing how to handle scary situations. Here we will talk about how to recognize and respond to those situations.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure is a condition in which the arteries have persistently raised pressure.
The pressure is created by your blood pushing against the artery walls as it is being pumped by the heart. The higher your blood pressure is, the harder your heart needs to work.
If you are having high blood pressure, over time you may develop:
High blood pressure is called the ‘silent killer' because it often has no symptoms, no warning signs, and so many people don’t realize that they have it.
High blood pressure is a major cause of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. High blood pressure can damage your arteries, and cause blockages of blood flow to vital organs.
When arteries and veins are narrowed in and around the heart, this is called coronary heart disease, and occurs due to plaque build-up that limits blood flow. This is usually silent and has no symptoms.
When the arteries providing blood to the heart are blocked, this can cause a heart attack, and when the blockage occurs in arteries going to the brain, it is called a stroke. The result is that certain cells in the heart or brain may get damaged or die due to being cut off from oxygen and nutrients to those organs.
When your blood pressure is high, or when cholesterol is elevated, this puts you at increased risks for heart attach or stroke. These are also sometimes asymptomatic. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, noted by the CDC, then you may be having a stroke, and may need urgent medical attention:
Sometimes, we may have these symptoms for a few minutes, and then they go away. It may not be a sign of any problem, but it may also indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Although brief, a TIA is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help. Unfortunately, because TIAs clear up, many people ignore them. But paying attention to a TIA can save your life. Tell your doctor about your symptoms right away.
The major symptoms of a heart attack, per the CDC, are
Other symptoms of a heart attack could include unusual or unexplained tiredness and nausea or vomiting. Women are more likely to have these other symptoms. Learn more about women and heart disease.
Call 9-1-1 and your provider immediately if you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone else. And make sure your loved ones are also aware of how to recognize when a heart condition is serious.
You may have noticed that many of the symptoms of a heart attack may be similar to those of a stroke. Regardless of the illness, if you are feeling new, severe, or concerning symptoms, you should always seek medical care. Call 9-1-1 and your provider immediately if you are having symptoms, and keep those closest to you involved in your heath and aware of your conditions.