Essential Hypertension Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. But, the condition can still damage your organs and tissues.

Occasionally, if blood pressure reaches extreme levels, you may have the following:

• Headache
• Blurry or double vision
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Diagnosis

High blood pressure is often diagnosed during a doctor's visit. Blood pressure is measured using an arm cuff and a special device. If your reading is high, you'll come back for repeat checks. If you have two or more visits with readings over 140/90 mmHG, you will be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Your doctor will order tests to make sure your high blood pressure is not caused by another condition. You will also be tested to see if the high blood pressure has cause any problems.

Tests include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Chest x-rays —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) —a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle