Typically mild to moderate high blood pressure causes no symptoms. For this reason it is called "the silent killer". Severe hypertension may cause headaches, changes in vision, dizziness, racing or irregular heart beat, easy tiring, nosebleeds, chest pain or shortness of breath.
Risk Factors
Increasing age
Family history
African-American descent
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Obesity
A high salt diet
Smoking
Preventive Measures
• Stop smoking
• Reduce weight to a normal range
• Reduce salt (sodium) intake to less than 2,000 mg per day
• Exercise on a regular basis as advised by your physician
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
• Monitor your blood pressure regularly so that medical treatment can be started or changed before complications develop. Ask your physician how often he or she wishes you to check your blood pressure reading.
source : Sisters of Mercy Health System
