Hypertension is a common disease in middle -aged and elderly people, which can lead to many dangerous complications if not well controlled. One of the common symptoms caused by hypertension is a headache.
High blood pressure directly affects the blood vessel system. When the blood pressure increases, the pressure in the vessel also increases, causing the wall to stretch. This can stimulate the pain receptors in the vascular wall, causing headaches. High blood pressure also increases the risk of vascular spasms, leading to a headache with a feeling of stiffness or severe head.
The sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and the body’s reaction to hypertension. When the blood pressure is suddenly high, the sympathetic nervous system is strongly stimulated, causing peripheral vessels and increasing heart rate. This reaction not only causes blood pressure to continue to increase but also causes the muscles of the neck, shoulder and neck to stiffen, causing more headaches.
To reduce headache due to hypertension, the first thing you should do is to control blood pressure. Maintaining stable blood pressure helps reduce pressure on the blood vessel system, limiting stimulation of pain receptors. You need to use antihypertensive drugs as directed by the doctor, do not arbitrarily change the dose.
Doctor Phi advises the patient. Artwork: Tam Anh General Hospital
You should also eat properly as salt limit, because sodium in salt can cause water retention and cause hypertension. A diet rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium helps reduce stress. Increase green vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, limit processed foods to improve blood pressure, reduce headache. Regular physical activity has the effect of enhancing circulation, reducing the risk of vascular spasms. Light exercises such as walking, yoga or tai chi support improve blood vessel function, reduce nervous tension.
Sleep plays an important role in controlling blood pressure and reducing headaches. Lack of sleep or deep sleep can stimulate sympathetic nervous system, causing blood pressure to rise in the morning, causing headaches when waking up. Therefore, you should get enough sleep 6-8 hours per night, maintain time for moderation activities, relax by breathing deeply, meditating, massaging.
If the headache lasts long, suddenly appears with strong intensity or accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, consciousness disorders, patients should go to a medical facility with a special specialist for medical examination and treatment. Because this may be a sign of dangerous complications such as a stroke or a malignant hypertension.