Hypertension

Symptoms:

• headache (occasionally)

If hypertension is severe, may have:

• tiredness
• confusion
• vision changes
• nausea, vomiting
• anxiety
• excessive perspiration
• pale skin, or redness of the face or other areas
• muscle tremors
• angina-like pain: crushing substernal chest pain
• splenomegaly

Note: Often no symptoms are present.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• nosebleed - symptom
• heartbeat sensations
• ear noise/buzzing

Signs and tests:

Hypertension may be suspected when the blood pressure is high. It is confirmed through blood pressure measurements that are repeated over time. Blood pressure consistently elevated over 140 systolic (which indicates the pressure generated when the heart beats) or 90 diastolic (which indicates the pressure when the heart is at rest), or consistently over the person's "normal" blood pressure, is considered hypertension. The person may show signs of complications.

Tests for suspected causes and complications may be performed. These are guided by the symptoms presented, history, and results of examination.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• visual field
• a RBC count
• a ophthalmoscopy
• a liver scan
• alpha-1 antitrypsin