High blood pressure warning - four signs of the 'silent killer' you may be ignoring - Express

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK.

The condition, which is also known as hypertension, puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.

The only way of knowing if you’re at risk of high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked - which is why it’s known as ‘the silent killer’.

But, you could have hypertension if you persistently have these warning signs, which are easily mistaken for something less serious.

Persistent headaches could be an early warning sign of high blood pressure, warned medical website Dr Felix.

The more severe the headache, the higher your blood pressure, it said.

Left untreated, the headaches could develop into a stroke if you have extreme hypertension.

Feeling dizzy may also be caused by high blood pressure. The fluctuations in blood pressure makes the heart work harder than normal.

This subsequently causes patients to feel light-headed, or dizzy. It’s not that uncommon for people with hypertension to lose their balance or fall over, it added.

Other warning signs of the condition include persistent nausea and vomiting, as well as blurred vision.

“Sometimes people do not realise they are suffering from high blood pressure,” said Dr Felix.

“At times a person’s blood pressure can rise suddenly due to an underlying condition.

“Under such conditions, knowing the signs and symptoms properly can help a person get immediate medical assistance.

“The optical nerve, behind the eye, can be affected by blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause problems with the optic nerve, causing blurred vision or redness of the eyes.

“Fluctuations in blood pressure can cause digestive disturbances, which can result in nausea or vomiting if severe.”

Having high blood pressure increases the risk of some deadly complications, include heart attacks and strokes.

It’s therefore crucial that everyone over 40 years old checks their blood pressure at least every five years.

You could lower your chances of developing hypertension by making some diet or lifestyle changes, said the NHS.

Eating too much salt raises the risk of high blood pressure. Avoid eating more than a teaspoonful of salt in a single day.

Exercise also helps to lower blood pressure. Aim to work out for at least 150 minutes every week.

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