High blood pressure: NHS doctor explains causes
Dubbed the silent killer, high blood pressure often lays its harmful groundwork without drawing too much attention to itself. The cardiovascular condition can hike your risk of serious health problems, ranging from heart attacks to strokes, without showing any tell-tale signs.
Worryingly, around 5.5 million people in England have undiagnosed high blood pressure, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England and Public Health England (PHE) suggests that treatment could avert up to 9,710 heart attacks and 14,500 strokes, but you need to identify the condition first.
While blood pressure is usually symptomless, symptoms like headaches and dizziness are often cited as tell-tale signs. However, one red flag could also appear in your eyes.
The effects of hypertension on eye health depend entirely on how high or uncontrolled your blood pressure is. The condition may even cause no signs at all if it is under control or mildly raised.
However, untreated very high blood pressure could trigger blurred vision or other vision changes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). High blood pressure causes the retinal blood vessels to thicken and narrow, reducing blood flow.
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A lack of blood flow to the retina then leads to blurred vision or complete loss of sight, according to the American Heart Association.
The health body notes that people with both diabetes and high blood pressure are at an even greater risk for developing this condition.
Apart from blurred vision, high blood pressure can trigger two other signs in your eyes.
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Dr Sally Ameen, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at OCL Vision, previously told Express.co.uk that the condition can also lead to redness and discomfort or pain in the eyes.
If you experience any of these red flags, “you should go and see your optician and request a complete eye examination, including the fundus and retina”, Dr Ameen recommended.
“This is especially important if the patient is aware their blood pressure is poorly controlled and so to prevent any catastrophic and irreversible damage to the eyes,” the expert added.
Other high blood pressure symptoms to spot
According to WHO, the full list of warning signs includes the following:
- Severe headaches
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Buzzing in the ears
- Nosebleeds
- Abnormal heart rhythm
The health body states: “If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and a high blood pressure, seek care immediately. The only way to detect hypertension is to have a health professional measure blood pressure.”
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