This is the #1 Sign Your Blood Pressure is “Not Normal” — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

High blood pressure is a serious health condition that can lead to a number of serious health complications. It is important to be aware of the signs that your blood pressure is not normal so that you can take steps to address it. In this article, we will discuss the #1 sign that your blood pressure is not normal and what you can do to lower it. We will also discuss the importance of making healthy dietary choices to help keep your blood pressure in check. By following the advice in this article, you can help ensure that your blood pressure remains within a healthy range.

This is the #1 Sign Your Blood Pressure is “Not Normal” — Eat This Not That

High blood pressure is a serious health issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. But how do you know if your blood pressure is “not normal”?

The most common sign of high blood pressure is a persistent headache. If you experience a headache that doesn’t go away, it could be a sign that your blood pressure is too high. Other signs include dizziness, blurred vision, and chest pain.

If you think you may have high blood pressure, it’s important to see your doctor right away. Your doctor can take a blood pressure reading and determine if your blood pressure is too high. If it is, they can recommend lifestyle changes and medications to help lower it.

One of the best ways to lower your blood pressure is to make changes to your diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables can help lower your blood pressure. Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can also help. Additionally, exercising regularly and reducing stress can help keep your blood pressure in check.

High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to serious health problems. If you think you may have high blood pressure, it’s important to see your doctor right away. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle can help lower your blood pressure and keep it in a healthy range.

High blood pressure or hypertension causes the heart to work harder to pump blood and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated like heart attack, stroke and more. Although hypertension is a common condition–an estimated 116 million U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk can be greatly reduced by working out 150 minutes a week, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. High blood pressure can happen without any symptoms, but there can be alarming indications that you should have it checked. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Sean Marchese, MS, RN, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center with a background in oncology clinical trials and over 20 years of direct patient care experience who shares three worrisome warning signs not to overlook. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

Pharmacist checking blood pressure of customer
iStock

Marchese explains, “Blood pressure is a “silent killer.” There are very few noticeable signs of blood pressure. Most people with high blood pressure experience no symptoms until they enter a “hypertensive crisis,” where severe high blood pressure can be fatal. Some people may experience headaches, nosebleeds or vision changes and associate them with blood pressure changes. However, these are not reliable signs. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to measure it.”

Doctor Measuring Patients Blood Pressure With Stethoscope
Shutterstock

Marchese tells us, “Doctors diagnose hypertension when, over multiple readings, systolic blood pressure (the first number and indicator of pressure during a heartbeat) is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure (the second number which indicates the pressure at rest) is greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg.”

older man experiencing chest pain, heart attack
Shutterstock

According to Marchese, “One of the major complications of high blood pressure is damage to the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Coronary artery disease caused by hypertension leads to narrow and damaged vessels, which can cause chest pain (angina), palpitations or heart attack. In severe cases, this strain on the heart can lead to heart failure.”

Man with kidney problem
Shutterstock

“The kidneys use delicate cells to filter excess fluid, toxins and waste from the blood,” Marchese says. “The increased pressure from hypertension can damage these sensitive organs. Hypertension-induced kidney damage can promote scar tissue, further preventing efficient waste filtration from the blood. If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause kidney failure leading to toxic levels of waste in the blood, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.”

Woman rubbing her eyes.
Shutterstock

Marchese shares, “Like the kidneys, the eyes contain many small and delicate cells and blood vessels easily damaged by hypertension. When high pressures damage the retina, they cause retinopathy characterized by bleeding in the eye and loss of vision. Diabetes is a risk factor that can significantly increase the chances of hypertension-induced retinopathy. High blood pressure can also cause fluid to accumulate under the retina, leading to distorted vision or blind spots caused by scar tissue. In severe cases, hypertension can damage the optic nerve and cause irreversible vision loss.” 

Heather Newgen

Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Read more about Heather