Symptoms of HYPERTENSION

At least half of the people with hypertension are probably unaware of having it. The reason is that it often does not produce clinical symptoms. Chronic hypertension leads to vascular damage. This can lead to inadequate blood supply to any organ. In addition, diseased arteries can form clots or become occluded. These occlusions or emboli can produce strokes of the brain and other organs. Chronically elevated blood pressure makes the heart pump harder. This can lead to enlargement of the heart muscle. The combination of diseased vessels supplying the heart and excessive strain on the heart can lead to angina or heart attack. Strokes are a common complication of long standing hypertension. They can occur from microaneurysms that form in the brain or from emboli or occluded vessels. Chronic hypertension can lead to renal disease. Elevated levels of toxins can produce mental changes and problems with fluid and electrolyte balance. Severe, acute hypertension, or a hypertensive crisis, is rare. It can produce severe headache, drowsiness, confusion, numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, coughing blood, nosebleeds, and severe shortness of breath.