| Just because you get a headache doesn't mean | | | | the nurse finds the readings high. He or she |
| that you have high blood pressure. Headaches | | | | reports the finding to the doctor, who then |
| CAN be an indication of very high blood pressure, | | | | reports the finding to the patient; or (2) they |
| but more often that not, a headache is just a | | | | wake up in the emergency room after they have |
| headache. Take an aspirin or a Tylenol and move | | | | had a heart attack or a stroke without having |
| on. Hypertension isn't called "the silent killer" for no | | | | experienced any symptoms at all. |
| reason. There are no symptoms that you or | | | | Readings that are 140 (systolic) and 90 (diastolic) |
| anybody else would recognize as symptoms of | | | | indicates hypertension. Now, just having ONE |
| high blood pressure. | | | | reading at that level is NOT an indication that you |
| If you or someone you love is having a SEVERE | | | | have hypertension. Blood pressure fluctuates all |
| headache, blurred vision, and nausea all at the | | | | the time. Immediately after you have done |
| same time, you should without any hesitation, get | | | | strenuous exercise, your blood pressure will be |
| to a doctor or an emergency room. Those | | | | higher. If you are suddenly stressed or frightened, |
| symptoms could indicate a blood pressure that is | | | | your blood pressure will rise. |
| high enough to cause a heart attack or a stroke, | | | | However, several readings at various times that |
| or worse. | | | | are consistently as high as 140/90 or higher do |
| However, most people discover that their blood | | | | indicate that you have high blood pressure -- with |
| pressure is elevated in one of two ways: (1) they | | | | or without a headache. |
| go to their doctor for some other problem and | | | | |