The symptoms of systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) may be diverse, however in most cases it does not cause any symptoms. In fact, the signs and symptoms that arise are diseases resulting from hypertension not properly treated, and not from hypertension itself. They are, therefore, the signs and symptoms of heart failure, stroke or renal failure. It is therefore imperative that you measure your pressure annually - without measuring it, it is impossible to know whether it is high or not.
Some myths must be overturned:
- Headache or nape of the neck THEY ARE NOT, usually symptoms of hypertension. Generally what happens is opposite, that is, the pain (be it head, belly, spine or any other place) raises the pressure, which is normal when we feel pain. The headache / headache directly caused by the pressure increase only occurs at very high levels, generally above 200/110 mmHg or patients with hypertensive spikes well above usual.
- Nervousness and anxiety THEY ARE NOT symptoms of SAH, by the same reasoning of the headache / nape: usually the person when he is anxious has the highest blood pressure. It is not the high pressure that generates anxiety, it is the opposite. Obviously, every rule has its exception: people with heart failure (which may or may not be secondary to SAH) may have symptoms of tiredness and shortness of breath, leading to anxiety.
- Nasal bleeding also NOT is a symptom of SAH, except in 15% of the most severe patients. If your nose bleeds frequently, see an otolaryngologist, there is likely to be another cause for the problem.
- Dizziness too NOT is a symptom of hypertension. In fact, hypertensive patients already under treatment often have dizziness - not as a symptom of elevated pressure, but as a side effect of medications - especially when the pressure falls too quickly. Dizziness may also be due to many other reasons, such as vestibular neuritis (popularly known as labyrinthitis) or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, among other causes. If the pressure rises too much and suddenly, and here we are talking about values above 200-220 mmHg systolic pressure, it is possible that the patient reports some degree of dizziness or lightheadedness. It is important to point out that hypertensive spikes can occur in the cases of stroke and dizziness is a common symptom of this complication, so the investigation should be done carefully, case by case.
- Heat waves and facial redness NOT are symptoms of high blood pressure. Increased blood pressure does not cause heat or make the face more red. Flushing and facial heat occur when blood vessels dilate on the face. This picture can arise from a variety of factors, such as sun exposure, heat, cold, spicy foods, hot drinks, reactions to skin products, emotional stress, alcohol consumption or exercise, all of which can also cause blood pressure changes temporarily, but as a consequence and not as a cause.
10 Commandments Against High Blood Pressure:
- Measure the pressure at least once a year;
- Practice physical activity every day, or at least 40 minutes, five times a week;
- Maintain ideal weight, avoid obesity;
- Adopt healthy food: little salt, no fries and more fruits, vegetables and vegetables;
- Reduce alcohol consumption. If possible, do not drink;
- Stop smoking;
- Never stop the treatment, it's for life. Do it right at the right times;
- Always follow the advice of your doctor or health professional;
- Sleep eight hours every night, make sure the quality of your sleep is good;
- Avoid stress. Make time for family, friends and leisure. Make sure you get at least an hour a day, every day, to do something you really like.
In case of suspected hypertension, a doctor (preferably a cardiologist) should be consulted. He can evaluate in detail, through anamnesis, physical examination and eventual complementary tests, if this is his correct diagnosis, guide him and prescribe the best treatment, case by case.
