Managing blood pressure is crucial for your overall health. Understanding what constitutes healthy blood pressure and recognizing the symptoms of both high and low blood pressure can help you take control of your health and prevent complications.

What Is Considered Normal Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is recorded using two measurements: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number), both measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

• Systolic pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is pumping blood.
• Diastolic pressure reflects the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.

A normal blood pressure reading is typically below 120/80 mmHg. For optimal cardiovascular health, your goal should be to keep your blood pressure lower than this threshold.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure often doesn’t show clear symptoms until it reaches dangerous levels. Early detection is essential to prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. Here are some signs that could indicate high blood pressure:

• Headaches: Frequent, intense headaches, especially in the morning, can be a sign of high blood pressure. These headaches often occur due to pressure building up in the blood vessels of the brain.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Sudden dizziness when standing up can result from blood pressure fluctuations, signaling potential issues with circulation.
• Vision Changes: High blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, causing blurred vision, seeing spots, or difficulty with night vision.
• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing during normal activities may indicate that the heart is working harder than usual due to elevated blood pressure.
• Facial Flushing: A red face may occur when blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate in response to high pressure.
• Pounding Sensations: You may feel a pounding or throbbing sensation in your chest, neck, or ears, a result of turbulent blood flow.
• Nosebleeds: Frequent nosebleeds can sometimes be linked to elevated blood pressure, as small blood vessels in the nose rupture.
• Severe Symptoms: A hypertensive crisis (180/120 mmHg or higher) can cause anxiety, confusion, severe headache, and even symptoms similar to a stroke. Immediate medical attention is needed in this situation.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Low blood pressure, while often less talked about, can also cause serious health issues. Hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops below 90/60 mmHg, and it can result in various symptoms:

• Lightheadedness Upon Standing: When standing up quickly, blood can pool in your legs, causing dizziness or a faint feeling. This can happen due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
• Blurred Vision: Insufficient blood flow to the eyes can lead to blurry vision or difficulty focusing.
• Weakness and Fatigue: Low blood pressure reduces the oxygen supply to your muscles and organs, leading to fatigue and weakness.
• Fainting: A significant drop in blood pressure can cause fainting. This is the body’s way of protecting itself by lowering the head to improve blood flow to the brain.
• Cognitive Issues: Insufficient blood supply to the brain can cause confusion, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.
• Nausea: Poor blood flow to the digestive system can result in nausea, vomiting, and discomfort.
• Rapid, Shallow Breathing: The body tries to compensate for low blood pressure by increasing breathing rate, which may not be fully effective.
• Clammy, Pale Skin: When blood pressure drops, the body conserves blood for vital organs, which can result in cold, pale, sweaty skin.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you experience persistent or severe symptoms of either high or low blood pressure, it’s important to seek medical attention. For high blood pressure, early detection is key to managing it before serious complications develop. If you experience fainting, extreme fatigue, or dizziness with low blood pressure, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue, and a thorough evaluation by your doctor is essential.

Monitoring your blood pressure regularly, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, and following your doctor’s guidance can help keep your blood pressure in check and reduce the risk of complications.