Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Headaches?

 You're going about your business as usual one minute. Your brain feels like it's being dragged down by a bag of boulders the following minute. Headaches are frequent, but they might start to interfere with your daily activities.

So here's the big question: Why do I continue having headaches?

Headaches can be caused by a variety of lifestyle and environmental variables. (It may be the lunchtime salami sandwich or the approaching thunderstorm.) However, if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you may be wondering if there is a connection.

The quick answer, according to cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD, is no. If you have both high blood pressure and headaches, Dr. Laffin outlines what you should do.

What causes headaches when your blood pressure is high?

Dr. Laffin claims that in most people, slightly raised blood pressure does not induce headaches.

While having mild (stage 1) or moderate (stage 2) hypertension is a positive indicator of your health and risk for some illnesses, it is unlikely to cause headaches.

"The great majority of patients with high blood pressure have no symptoms," says Dr. Laffin. However, he warns that if your blood pressure rises to dangerously high levels, you may have symptoms such as a headache.

"You should seek medical assistance if you develop a sudden, acute headache that is considerably worse than normal and your blood pressure is raised," Dr. Laffin advises.

Any rises in your blood pressure should be closely monitored since they could indicate a larger problem, such as a stroke. So, if your blood pressure has dramatically increased and isn't decreasing, pay attention to your body's warning indications and notify your healthcare practitioner.

What does it feel like to have a headache induced by a blood pressure spike?

According to Dr. Laffin, there is no high-quality data suggesting that a headache caused by a blood pressure surge is any different from an usual headache.

He also mentions that determining what's causing what can be difficult at times.

"Another thing to keep in mind concerning headaches and blood pressure is that a headache isn't necessarily caused by high blood pressure. It's possible that it's the other way around. Sometimes it's a case of the chicken and the egg. We have no idea which comes first. An increase in blood pressure can be caused by headaches.", says Dr. Laffin.

You may also experience other symptoms in addition to a headache, based on how the increase in blood pressure affects your body:

• Pain in the chest.
• Blurred vision.
• Nausea.
• Breathing problems.

"Just because your blood pressure has increased doesn't imply you need to go to the hospital," Dr. Laffin explains. "However, if it's accompanied by something new, such as a strong headache, severe chest discomfort, or shortness of breath, you should seek medical attention."

How can you get rid of a headache?

If you have high blood pressure, you should be cautious about the therapies you choose, especially if you're already taking blood pressure medicine.

Keep an eye on your nutrition.

For roughly 1 in every 5 people, diet plays a major role in headaches. However, the list of possible reasons is broad, ranging from artificial sweeteners to pickles to red wine. It's helpful to maintain a food journal to see whether any foods induce headaches.

OTC (over-the-counter) medication

Your initial instinct may be to grab for a pain killer if your headache is getting severe. If you're on blood pressure medicine, aspirin or acetaminophen are your top choices, according to Dr. Laffin. To make sure that other over-the-counter or prescription solutions are safe for you, consult your doctor.