Symptoms 'The Silent Killer'

Generally patients with hypertension have no symptoms; as a result it is often referred to as the 'silent killer.' Hypertension can lead to stroke, heart failure, angina, or renal failure without any warning. When hypertension has been present for only a short time, the patient may appear otherwise healthy. If hypertension has been allowed to progress for a long time the patient might show signs of damage to organs, such as kidneys, eyes, brain, heart, or blood vessels.

Most of the time, there are no symptoms. However, symptoms that may occur include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Buzzing or noise in the ear
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nosebleed
• Tiredness
• Vision changes

If you have a severe headache or any of the symptoms above, see your doctor immediately. This may be a sign of a complication or dangerously high blood pressure called malignant hypertension.