Over the next several issues I will concentrate on several medical issues that you should be aware of to prevent a major medical emergency. Happy Reading.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Preventive Actions You Can Take to Avoid the Silent Killer
Hypertension is called the "silent killer," but there are still a few warning signs to watch out for.
High blood pressure—which doctors technically refer to as hypertension—can slowly develop and damage your body for years; and over time, if high blood pressure causes enough damage, it can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. It's a dangerous condition, but what makes it even more dangerous is that high blood pressure doesn't usually present with many (if any) symptoms—in fact, it's often called the "silent killer." But this doesn't mean you're completely out of luck when it comes to diagnosing and treating hypertension. Here's what you need to know about high blood pressure and how it may present in those affected by it.
What Is Blood Pressure
In general, blood pressure is defined as "the force of blood on a vessel wall," and having your blood pressure measured by a doctor is the only way to truly know whether your blood pressure is too high.
That blood pressure reading—which is measured by a gauge attached to an inflatable blood pressure cuff that wraps around your arm and gently tightens—comes in two different numbers: Your systolic blood pressure (the pressure inside your arteries when your heart beats) and your diastolic blood pressure (the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is resting). Doctors tell you your blood pressure in this format: systolic blood pressure over diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 over 80 (120/80) is considered the normal range for blood pressure, per the American Heart Association (AHA)
Hypertension Causes and Symptoms
While there are some risk factors that can contribute to high blood pressure—like smoking, high-stress levels, poor diet, not enough exercise, and genetics, However, symptoms of hypertension aren't quite as cut-and-dry. High blood pressure is "called the silent killer for a reason." That's because any possible symptoms that could be related to high blood pressure could also be indicative of other health conditions. The AHA lists three "inconclusively related symptoms of high blood pressure":
Blood Spots In the Eyes: This condition—technically called subconjunctival hemorrhage—is more common in those with diabetes and high blood pressure, though neither directly causes the blood spots, per the AHA.
Facial Flushing: The AHA says facial flushing happens when blood vessels in the face dilate. While facial flushing may occur with high blood pressure, it can also be a result of various other factors like sun exposure, cold temperature, spicy foods, and skin care products.
Dizziness: While dizziness isn't directly caused by high blood pressure, the AHA says that sudden onset dizziness, loss of coordination and balance, and trouble walking should not be ignored, since they can be indicators of a stroke (for which high blood pressure is the leading cause).
That said, while higher-than-normal blood pressure often doesn't show specific symptoms, a hypertensive crisis—when blood pressure rises quickly and severely, and reads 180/120 or higher—can show some more specific symptoms and necessitate immediate medical attention, according to the AHA.
These emergency symptoms include: Severe headache, Shortness of breath, Nosebleeds, Severe anxiety
Preventative Actions You Can Take: Get your blood pressure checked regularly and listen to your doctor if they advise you to lower your blood pressure. Unlike other medical conditions, you can't count on a symptom to signal to you that your blood pressure is dangerously high, so it's important to try to keep your blood pressure under control consistently, especially if a medical professional suggests that you need to.
Thankfully, there are various blood pressure medications that can be prescribed based on a specific patient's needs, but there are also many different ways to lower your blood pressure via lifestyle changes. If you smoke, consider stopping, and also make sure not to drink excessively. Additionally lower your stress levels as much as possible, eating more whole foods, and regularly exercising.
The Early Signs of Stroke You Need To Know—Even If You're Young: Your stroke risk rises as you get older, but strokes can happen at any age.
Like with many other health concerns, your risk of having a stroke increases as you get older. In fact, every 10 years after age 55, your stroke risk nearly doubles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But strokes can and do happen at any age—sometimes even in children. The CDC noted that around a third of Americans hospitalized for strokes are younger than 65.
Strokes Occurring—But in the Younger Population
In 2016, social media star and model Katie May died after suffering a stroke. The New York Daily News reported that the 34-year-old had "tweaked her neck" when she fell during a photo shoot in late January 2016; afterward, May had tweeted that she had "pinched a nerve" a few days before she was hospitalized.
It turned out the pain May was experiencing was far more serious than a pinched nerve and may have been a warning sign of a stroke. But in a young woman in good health, who would connect neck pain to a stroke?
"When you're younger and in relatively good health, you think that having a stroke is not a possibility," said David Liebeskind, MD, director of the Neurovascular Programs at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The reality is [that] a stroke can strike at any age, said Dr. Liebeskind
Doctors told May's family that she suffered a carotid artery dissection. It starts as a tear in the artery wall—which can be caused by an injury like a bad spill—and leads to a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain.
While this particular type of stroke is rare, general strokes are on the rise in younger people, according to a February 2022 news release from the American Heart Association. The release provided details regarding the analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The study focused on instances of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke over the course of 29 years (1990-2019) in the US. The researchers indicated that the number of people experiencing strokes was growing, but notably, instances of stroke were happening more to younger individuals.
What Are the Warning Signs of Stroke?
So what are the early signs of stroke to look for? Two key clues: A sudden onset of dizziness or severe headache. In an interview with Health, David Newman-Toker, MD, associate professor in the department of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said those were the most prominent stroke warning signs in women under 45, sometimes accompanied by hiccups or nausea.
The CDC's list of sudden stroke signs and symptoms to look out for beyond headaches and dizziness includes: Facial, arm, or leg numbness or weakness, Confusion, Troubles with speech or understanding speech, Vision problems, Balance and coordination.
What To Do if You Think You're Having a Stroke: The American Stroke Association indicates that using the acronym F.A.S.T. can help you remember the common symptoms to look for and when to call 911:
Face: Look for signs of facial drooping or numbness.
Arm: Determine any arm weakness or numbness.
Speech: Listen for slurred speech.
Time: Call 911 if any of the symptoms are present.
The CDC also stresses the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in the case of a stroke. It advises that it is preferable to call for an ambulance instead of driving yourself or having someone else take you to the hospital, as an ambulance can allow medical staff to start care on the way to the emergency room.
Further, if your emergency room provider tries to diagnose you with something else—like an inner ear infection or a migraine—when you go to receive medical care, don't give up. "Migraine won't kill you. A stroke may. Make sure of an accurate diagnosis.
Until Next Time: Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and be Careful out there
James A Vito, D.M.D