Will I Know It When My Blood Pressure Goes Up?

Dr. Reid answers the question: 'Will I Know It When My Blood Pressure Goes Up?'

ByABC News
December 23, 2008, 5:52 PM

Aug. 11, 2009— -- Question: Will I Know It When My Blood Pressure Goes Up?

Answer: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is called the silent killer because it can go undiagnosed for years, damaging the brain, your eyesight, your heart or your kidneys long before symptoms develop. Some people do say they get headaches when their blood pressure goes up; however, most studies show that people with hypertension actually have fewer headaches than the rest of the population. So there's really no way to tell outside of checking your blood pressure regularly because once the symptoms start, the damage has already begun.

So visit your doctor, have your blood pressure checked. There are free blood pressure machines at pharmacies and grocery stores. And if the top number is ever over 140 or the bottom number ever over 90, make sure to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

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