symptoms
Recognizing and handling common symptoms
High blood pressure usually has no warning signs at all. You can feel perfectly fine and still have it.
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms. Most people feel fine even when their numbers are high. There are no warning signs, so regular checkups are key. Your care provider uses a blood pressure cuff to measure two numbers. The systolic, or top number, is measured when your heart beats. The diastolic, or bottom number, is measured when your heart rests. A very high reading is called a hypertensive crisis. This needs medical care right away. Over time, untreated high blood pressure can cause serious harm. It raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. Ask your care team how often to check your blood pressure. Also ask what to do if a reading is very high.
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This page is educational, not medical advice. Talk with your care team about decisions that apply to you. If something feels urgent, contact your care team — for emergencies call your local emergency number.