Persistent morning headaches could be a subtle sign of high blood pressure (Image: Getty)
Millions of people may be living with an undiagnosed “silent killer” condition — high blood pressure. When the force of blood pushing through the artery walls is consistently too high, this can cause damage to blood vessels and organs, increasing risk of a wide range of health problems including heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and dementia.
Dr Oliver Segal, a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at HCA Healthcare UK The Harley Street Clinic, told the Express early warning signs are often overlooked. He explained: “High blood pressure (hypertension) is frequently symptomless, which is why it remains underdiagnosed. Many people feel completely well while their blood pressure is persistently elevated. When symptoms do occur, they are often subtle and easily dismissed.”
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Dr Segal highlighted eight common symptoms that people should be aware of. These are:
- Persistent morning headaches, particularly at the back of the head
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances
- Shortness of breath during mild exertion
- Palpitations or a pounding sensation in the chest
- Unexplained fatigue
- Nosebleeds in more severe or sudden elevations
- Chest tightness or pressure
He added: “These symptoms are non-specific and frequently attributed to stress, dehydration, poor sleep, hormonal changes or anxiety.
“In many cases, the first indication of high blood pressure is not a symptom at all, but a complication discovered incidentally such as abnormal kidney function on routine blood tests, retinal changes during an eye test, or signs of heart strain on an ECG or echocardiogram.
“Because of this, routine blood pressure checks are essential even for individuals who feel entirely healthy.”
Chronically raised blood pressure forces the heart to pump against increased resistance and causes thickening of the heart muscle, Dr Segal said.
Other consequences include reduced elasticity of arteries, damage to the inner lining of blood vessels, and accelerated development of atherosclerosis (the build up of plaque in vessels).
Over time, this can increase risk of problems including coronary artery disease and heart attack, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease and cognitive impairment or dementia.
Tesco is offering free blood pressure checks at its pharmacy locations this month (Image: Getty)
Dr Segal, a cardiologist with 30 years’ experience, added: “It is often called a ‘silent killer’ because people can live with uncontrolled hypertension for many years without warning signs, only to present with a major cardiovascular event.
“The damage accumulates gradually and painlessly, which is why early identification and sustained control are so important.”
Around five milliion people in the UK are feared to be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK.
The British Heart Foundation has partnered with Tesco to offer free blood pressure checks at more than 350 Tesco Pharmacy locations in February, to mark Heart Month.
The charity’s chief scientific and medical officer, Professor Bryan Williams, said: “High blood pressure affects roughly one in three adults in the UK, yet many people remain unaware they have it because it usually presents no obvious signs.
“When it goes undetected, it can significantly raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, which is why it’s so important for as many people as possible to get their blood pressure checked.
“Although high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems if ignored, the positive news is that it can be managed. Know your numbers this Heart Month.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
