Many people with high blood pressure do not even know or recognize the High Blood Pressure Symptoms And Signs.  This is due, in part, to the fact that many people do not exhibit any symptoms or signs until their blood pressure readings that have reached very critical and dangerous levels.  Often they have even reached life-threatening levels.

Although some people with early-stage high blood pressure may experience dull headaches, dizzy spells or even nosebleeds, these symptoms do not typically occur until their high blood pressure has reached an advanced stage.

Unless you suspect a problem with high blood, there is probably no need to make a special appointment with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked.  Your doctor will probably have your blood pressure checked as part of your routine appointment.

You may also be able to get a free blood pressure screening at a health fair or some other community event.  You can also check your blood pressure for free on machines at various drugstores such as Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy or even Wal-Mart.   Keep in mind, that these machines are not often calibrated which can result in an inaccurate reading. 

High blood pressure has been referred to as the “Silent Killer”.  One may suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without having a single symptom. The problem is that uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

Blood pressure is created by the amount of blood that the heart pumps and the amount of blood flow resistance that are in the arteries. When the arteries have become narrow or restricted, the blood pressure will be elevated.

Nearly everyone eventually will be affected by High blood pressure.  Fortunately, it can be easily detected and controlled with lifestyle changes and or medication.   

There are two types of high blood pressure: primary and secondary hypertension.

Primary (essential) hypertension
Studies show that in 90 to 95 percent of these high blood pressure cases in adults, an identifiable cause does not exist and tends to develop gradually over a period of many years.

Secondary hypertension
Studies show that the other 5 to 10 percent of high blood pressure cases are caused by a definable underlying condition and tends to appear suddenly. Various medical conditions and or medications have been found to lead to secondary hypertension. These conditions include the following:

Illegal drugs

Tumors of the adrenal gland

Kidney abnormalities

Medications such as prescription drugs and birth control pills

Medications such as cold remedies, decongestants and pain relievers

Certain congenital heart defects

High blood pressure has many risk factors. Some are controllable and some not. Risk factors for High blood pressure include the following:

Your Family history. High blood pressure tends to be inherited.

You’re Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. Women are likely to develop high blood pressure after menopause and men during their early middle age.

You’re Race. High blood pressure is particularly common among blacks.

You’re Using tobacco. Smoking tobacco immediately raise your blood pressure. The chemicals in tobacco can also damage the lining of the artery wall resulting in the narrowing of the arteries thus increasing the blood pressure.

Too much salt (sodium) in your diet. Sodium can cause your body to retain fluid, which in turn increases your blood pressure.

If you are overweight or obese. The more weight you carry, the more blood that must supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. The pressure on your artery walls increases with this volume of blood circulating.

Not being physically active. People who are inactive tend to have an increased heart rate. As the heart rate increases, the harder your heart has to work with each contraction, the stronger the force on your arteries.

Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary, increase in blood pressure. If your attempt to relax is by eating, drinking more or smoking, you may increase your problem with high blood pressure.

Too little potassium in your diet. Potassium helps keep the balance of sodium in your cells. Without this balance you may accumulate too much sodium in your blood.

Your alcohol consumption. Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart. Drinking can temporarily raise your blood pressure, as it may result in your body releasing hormones that increase your blood flow and heart rate.

Certain chronic health conditions. Certain chronic medical conditions also may increase your risk of high blood pressure. These conditions include diabetes, kidney disease high cholesterol, and even sleep apnea.

Excessive pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your organs and blood vessels. The longer your blood pressure is high and uncontrolled, the greater the risk of damage to your body. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to the following conditions:

Aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.

Damage to your arteries. This condition can result in heart attack or stroke.

A blocked or ruptured blood vessel in your brain. This condition can lead the blood flow to your brain to slow or cause a blood vessel in your brain to burst thus resulting in a stroke.

Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys. This condition can prevent your kidneys from functioning normally.

Trouble with memory or understanding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may result in your inability to think or memory loss.

Heart failure. As your heart muscle thickens, the heart may have a difficult time pumping enough blood, which can result in heart failure and death.

Thick, narrow or torn blood vessels in the eyes. This can result in blindness.

Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism which increases your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

Blood pressure blood pressure readings are given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). There are two numbers included in your reading. The upper (first) number is the systolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The lower (second) number is the diastolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your arteries between heart beats.

The latest blood pressure guidelines, issued in 2003 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, divide blood pressure measurements into four general categories as follows:

Normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure is normal if it's below 120/80 mm Hg. However, some doctors recommend 115/75 mm Hg as a better goal. If your blood pressure rises above 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease begins to increase.

Prehypertension. Prehypertension is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg. Unfortunately, Prehypertension tends to worsen over time. Within four years of being diagnosed with prehypertension, studies show that nearly one-third of adults ages 35 to 64 and nearly half the adults age 65 or older develop high blood pressure.

Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic pressure ranging from 140 to 159 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 90 to 99 mm Hg.

Stage 2 hypertension. Stage 2 is the most severe hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 100 mm Hg or higher.

Though both numbers of a blood pressure reading are important, after you reach the age of 50, the systolic reading becomes even more significant. A condition called isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is the most common type of high blood pressure condition for individuals who are age 50 or older.

Your doctor will probably recommend several routine tests, such as a urine test (urinalysis), blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) if you suffer from high blood pressure. The ECG is a test that measures the electrical activity of your heart.

Your doctor will recommend your treatment goals based on your current health issues. 

If you are a healthy adult your goal will probably be 140 / 90 mm Hg or lower.

If you have chronic health issues such as Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Coronary Artery Disease or are at a high risk of Coronary Artery Disease your goal will probably be 130 /80 mm Hg or lower.

If you suffer from Left Ventricular Dysfunction or Heart Failure and your heart is not pumping as well as it should your goal probably be 120 /80 mm Hg or lower.

Even if you are currently taking medication to control your high blood pressure, lifestyle changes can also improve its control. Lifestyle changes can also aid in the prevention of high blood pressure. Several of these Lifestyle changes are listed below.

Eat healthier

Decrease Salt Intake

Lose Weight

Exercise

Stop Smoking

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Manage Stress

Monitoring your blood pressure at home alsocan help you keep closer tabs on your blood pressure, determine if your medication is working, and alert you and your doctor to potential complications.