Introduction
High blood pressure is a serious health condition that can lead to a number of serious health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. It is important to be aware of the warning signs that your blood pressure is “skyrocketing” so that you can take steps to lower it and protect your health. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help you keep your blood pressure in check. In this article, we will discuss some of the warning signs that your blood pressure is “skyrocketing” and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Warning Signs Your Blood Pressure is “Skyrocketing” — Eat This Not That
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health condition that can lead to a number of serious health complications. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of high blood pressure so that you can take steps to lower it and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
The most common signs and symptoms of high blood pressure include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away. Your doctor can check your blood pressure and determine if it is too high.
Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing high blood pressure. These include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Having a family history of high blood pressure
- Having diabetes
- Having high cholesterol
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Eating a diet high in sodium
- Drinking too much alcohol
If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to take steps to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.
Eat This Not That to Lower Blood Pressure
Making changes to your diet can help lower your blood pressure. Eating a diet that is low in sodium and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. Here are some foods to eat and avoid to help lower your blood pressure:
- Eat: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds
- Avoid: Processed foods, fried foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in sodium
Making changes to your diet can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing serious health complications. It is important to talk to your doctor about the best diet for you.
Is your blood pressure out of control? “High blood pressure is a medical condition in which blood pressure is persistently higher than 130/80 mm Hg,” says Andrew Yocum, MD. “High blood pressure increases the risk of heart diseases like coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Lifestyle changes and sometimes prescription blood pressure medication can help lower or manage high blood pressure.” Want to learn more? Here are five signs your blood pressure could be out of control. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Headaches could be a sign of high blood pressure. “If you have a sudden, intense headache that’s significantly worse than usual and your blood pressure is elevated, you should seek medical attention,” says cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD. “Another thing to remember about headaches and blood pressure is that it’s not always the blood pressure that causes a headache. It could be the other way around. Sometimes, it’s a chicken and the egg scenario. We don’t know which comes first. Headaches can cause an elevation in blood pressure.”
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of pulmonary hypertension. “That is the most common presenting symptom,” says Vallerie McLaughlin, MD, director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center. “[It’s because] the right side of the heart is having trouble pushing blood flow through the lungs — and it’s not getting to the left side of the heart and body. It puts strain on the right side of the heart, which is not used to pushing against the high pressure.”
Anxiety and high blood pressure are linked, experts say. “Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension),” says Sheldon G. Sheps, MD. “But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure. If those temporary spikes occur frequently, such as every day, they can cause damage to blood vessels, the heart and kidneys, as can chronic high blood pressure.”
“High blood pressure is not usually a direct cause of nosebleeds, but some research links the two,” says Dr. Yocum. “One study found that, compared to people with normal blood pressure, those who have hypertensive have a greater risk of nosebleeds that may require medical attention. Another study suggested that hypertension is not usually the cause of a bloody nose, but it can make nosebleeds harder to control.”
Nausea and vomiting could be a symptom of a spike in blood pressure, doctors say. “If you get a very high blood pressure reading at home and don’t have any symptoms, relax for a few minutes,” says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD. “Then check your blood pressure again. If it’s still very high, seek medical care. Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.”
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