7 silent signs warning of high blood pressure

Hypertension is considered a “silent killer” because most patients have no obvious symptoms until serious complications occur. High blood pressure can silently damage the heart, eyes, brain and kidneys without the patient realizing it. Experts recommend that people over 30 years old, with diabetes, obesity, kidney disease or a family history of hypertension should regularly monitor their blood pressure. Early identification of potential warning signs is important.

Tension-type headache when waking up

Blood pressure often increases slightly in the morning according to circadian rhythm. However, in people with hypertension, this increase can exceed the normal range, creating pressure on brain microvasculature. The patient has a feeling of heaviness in the occipital area (the area at the back of the head, starting from the top of the neck) or as if there is a tight ring around the head.

Persistent fatigue even without much exercise

When blood pressure is high, the heart has to contract harder to push blood through the vascular system under great pressure. This prolonged condition causes the heart muscle wall, especially the left ventricle, to thicken. At the same time, the body has to consume more energy to maintain circulation, causing the patient to get tired easily and reduce their endurance.

Difficulty breathing in daily activities

Patients may be short of breath even when walking a short distance, climbing a flight of stairs or talking while walking. The cause is that prolonged high blood pressure makes the heart muscle thicker and less elastic, reducing its ability to expand and pump blood effectively.

Blurred vision, eye fatigue

The retina is where doctors can directly observe the vascular system. When high blood pressure persists, the small blood vessels here can narrow, thicken or leak, causing damage called hypertensive retinopathy. This condition sometimes causes no obvious symptoms and is only detected through a routine eye exam.

Nervous when resting

Patients can clearly feel the heartbeat even when lying still. When the vessel wall becomes less elastic, the pressure within the vessel increases, creating stronger pulse waves. The heart therefore has to contract strongly to overcome peripheral resistance, causing a feeling of nervousness or pounding of the heart.

Recurrent nosebleeds or facial flushing

This symptom of high blood pressure is not common but should be noted, especially if it occurs while resting. High blood pressure can burst small capillaries in the nose or cause vasodilation in the face, leading to nosebleeds or a flushed face.

Gradually reduce the ability to exercise

Prolonged high blood pressure makes blood vessel walls thicker and stiffer, reducing their ability to expand when the body needs to increase blood flow. As a result, muscles are not provided with enough oxygen during exercise, causing the patient to tire quickly and reduce endurance over time.