High Blood Pressure and Headaches

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is commonly referred to as a “silent killer,” because it typically doesn’t have any signs and symptoms which are accepted universally. However, there are some typical symptoms and warning signs that usually make a doctor suspect high blood pressure.

Among these, recurrent or worsening headache had been the closest thing to a real blood pressure symptom. If you are suffering from chronic headaches, you may have hypertension without even knowing it.

It has been seen for decades that patients with high blood pressure seem to suffer more frequent and much more severe headaches. What is reason for this headache?

The science and physiology behind headaches is in favor of this observation, as well. Increased blood pressure causes a process called auto regulation in the blood vessels that run through the tissue underneath the skull, where most of your headaches start.

In other words, the auto regulation leads to constriction of these blood vessels, which is a very well known cause of headache symptoms. It is the main symptom of migraine headaches.

A comprehensive research study from Norway found that people with elevated, untreated high blood pressure were as much as 50% less likely to suffer a headache than were patients with similar health profiles but normal blood pressure. The studies conducted on Norwegian patients and published in a large medical journal in the United States, were designed as a follow up to earlier research and found that people with high blood pressure may actually have fewer headaches than those with normal blood pressure.

Among patients in that study, those with higher systolic pressures and wider pulse pressures (i.e difference between systolic and diastolic pressures is high) seemed to have less headache complaints. Interestingly, patients with high blood pressure who were receiving treatment seemed to have headache risks similar to that of patients with normal levels.

This treatment/headache risk relationship persisted even in individuals who continued to have some elevation in their readings in spite of treatment. This study shows that headache risk may rise as hypertension decreases.

Studies and researchers can’t yet prove why raised hypertension causes against headaches. Theories range from altered levels of certain blood chemicals and hormones to differences in artery stiffness.

Arteries tend to become more stiff as blood pressure rises, one of the main causes that high blood pressure can lead to artery damage. However this Cialis Professional may be happy news for those who are suffering from hypertension, as the risks still far outweigh any associated headache reduction benefits.

If you are being treated for hypertension and you are suffering from frequent or severe headaches, you should not stop taking your drugs. Rather, you might require a different drugs and medicines and should seek the consultation of your doctor.

Every person is different, and requires a different specific treatment which is unique to their body. Take any advice from friends or family lightly, and make sure you do not do anything with your medication without seeking professional help.

Blood pressure that is persistently higher than 140/ 90 mm Hg usually is treated with lifestyle modifications and medication. If the diastolic pressure remains at a borderline level, usually under 90 mm Hg, yet persistently above 85, however, more aggressive treatment also may be started in certain circumstances.

These circumstances include borderline diastolic pressures in association with end-organ damage, systolic hypertension, or factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as age over 65 years, African American decent, smoking, hyperlipemia (elevated blood fats), or diabetes. Any one of the several classes of medications may be started, except the alpha-blocker medications.

The alpha-blockers drugs are used only in combination with another anti-hypertensive medication in specific medical situations. In some particular situations, certain classes of anti-hypertensive drugs are preferable to others as the first line drugs.

For example, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocking (ARB) drugs are the drugs of choice in patients with heart failure, chronic kidney failure in diabetics or non-diabetics, or heart attacks that weaken the heart muscle (systolic dysfunction), as these have remodeling effect on heart muscles. Also, beta-blockers are sometimes the preferred treatment in hypertensive patients with a resting tachycardia (racing heart beat when resting) or an acute (rapid onset, current) heart attack.

As you can see, headaches can be a way to detect your high blood pressure. There are different drugs, diets, and treatments you can try which will help your hypertension stay under control.

Author Bio: Jack R. Landry has worked as a nurse practitioner for the last 16 years. He has worked in local clinics and the ER and recommends looking into high blood pressure cure to avoid a fatal heart attack.

Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://livingwithoutdisease.com

Category: Health/Diseases and Conditions
Keywords: high blood pressure cure

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