Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: High Blood Pressure Symptom Treatment

Question:
I was wondering if someone could tell me the symtoms that can appear when the blood pressure gets very high. Not long term symtoms, I mean right then an there symtoms. I am going off a medication that I had a bad reaction to and my blood pressure is skyrocketing. I normally have normal B.P. (120/70) even under stress. My blood pressure has been bouncing around though since coming off the med and has gone as high as 180/120! I notice a sort of tightness all over my body but especially my face and head, sort of like all my muslces are contracting very hard but my muscles are not tensing at all. I also feel like I have a weight on my chest - making it hard to breath in deeply. These symtpon fade in and out but I noticed that my b.p. is very high when they fade in and somewhat lower when they fade out. I'm trying to figure out whether the high blood pressure is causing the symtoms or are just a result of stressing out about the symptoms. I know that the symtpoms will fade over time - that's not my worry. I just got to thinking that in the past I have occasionally got that sort of tightness feelin (never that intense, mind you) and am curious if that also could be during period of high blood pressure. I am only 25 and only recently bought a blood pressure monitor so I never really measured myself during those periods before.

Answer:
Yes, symptoms can appear when one's blood pressure gets too high. Especially worrisome is the chest-tightness you have just described. If you are having these symptoms now, please call 911. Otherwise, contact your doctor for an urgent evaluation.