High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the prolonged force of blood hitting the walls of the arteries is high enough to eventually cause health problems such as heart disease. Blood pressure depends on both the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the resistance the arteries put up. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. Blood pressure is given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It consists of two numbers.

• The top number (systolic pressure). The first or top number measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart beats.
• The lower number (diastolic pressure). The second, lower number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

What causes high blood pressure? Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: A diet high in salt, fat and/or cholesterol. Chronic illnesses such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes and high cholesterol. Family history, especially if parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure. Symptoms of severe high blood pressure If your blood pressure is very high, you may have certain symptoms to watch out for, including:

• Severe headaches
• Nose bleeding
• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Pounding in the chest, neck or ears

People sometimes feel that other symptoms may be related to high blood pressure, but they may not be:

• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Sweating
• Problems falling asleep
• Blushing on the face
• Blood stains in the eyes

When to see a doctor If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You may be in a hypertensive crisis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. You may also have another serious health condition. Most of the time, high blood pressure doesn't cause headaches or nosebleeds. But, it can happen in a hypertensive crisis, when your blood pressure is above 180/120. If your blood pressure is extremely high and you have these symptoms, rest for 5 minutes and check again. If your blood pressure is still extremely high, it is a medical emergency. Call 911. It is important to remember that high blood pressure usually does not give symptoms. Therefore, everyone should get checked regularly. The American Heart Association recommends that adults with normal blood pressure check it annually during routine medical visits. You can also check it at health fairs or other places in your community. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend that you check it more often at home. Home monitors may work better than store devices. Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes and medication to lower your blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems. How do you feel when you have high blood pressure? Blood pressure is a mostly silent disease Unfortunately, high blood pressure can occur without feeling any unusual symptoms. Moderate to severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations or a throbbing sensation in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.