| High blood pressure is a very serious disease. It | | | | particularly an increased occurence of any |
| can cause damage to your vital organs and in the | | | | particular sign e.g. increased nosebleeds, you |
| worst cases can be fatal. Sufferers of high blood | | | | should seek further advice from your doctor |
| pressure often do not show any symptoms and | | | | immediately. |
| when the symptoms do show, the damage has | | | | If left untreated high blood pressure can cause |
| often already occurred. Therefore, the best way | | | | unwanted damage to a number of areas across |
| to determine whether you have high blood | | | | your body. Your eyes receive blood through the |
| pressure or not is to go and see a trained doctor | | | | optic arteries and if these are damaged by high |
| and get it checked out. | | | | blood pressure then your vision may be impaired. |
| Blood pressure is said to be normal if it is 140 | | | | High blood pressure can also cause damage to the |
| over 85. However, it can differ between different | | | | brain. The brain requires oxygen and nutrition |
| races and geographic locations. Generally speaking | | | | which is supplied in the blood stream. If this supply |
| blood pressure above 140 over 85 is said to be | | | | is impaired by high blood pressure it can lead to a |
| high. A few degrees above normal may not cause | | | | mini-stroke, a full stroke and even dementia in old |
| any significant problems but a signficant increase | | | | age. High blood pressure can also cause serious |
| can be dangerous. | | | | damage to the heart including heart attacks and |
| As I mentioned above high blood pressure does | | | | heart failure. |
| not always display symptoms. However, there | | | | As you can see high blood pressure can easily go |
| are a number of signs you can look out for. | | | | unnoticed and potentially cause a lot of damage to |
| Regular migraines are also a sign of high blood | | | | your body. However, if it is identified early enough |
| pressure. If you find yourself breathless after a | | | | then you are likely to never experience any of |
| little exertion this is another sign that you may | | | | the consequences mentioned in this article. It is |
| have high blood pressure, particularly if this didn't | | | | advisable to go and see your doctor immediately |
| seem to happen previously. A third sign is more | | | | and be tested for high blood pressure. As long as |
| regular nose bleeds or increased bleeding from | | | | it is diagnosed early enough it can be managed |
| other areas of the body. Additional signs of high | | | | using a combination of medication, diet and |
| blood pressure can include hyperventiliation and | | | | exercise. |
| tension. If you notice any of these signs, | | | | |