Symptoms of Hypertension
Until it has reached a very high level - typically 180/110 mmHg, there are no symptoms that the blood pressure is raised - but when it has soared symptoms may include a headache that lasts for several days, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred, or double vision, nosebleeds, irregular heartbeat (palpitations), or shortness of breath. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.
Effects of Hypertension
Hypertension is one of the chief causes of a disease of the arteries called atherosclerosis, where a build-up of fatty deposits called plaques occurs in the lining of the artery walls which can thicken, calcify and narrow the arteries to the point where they restrict the flow of blood. This can result in a blood clot (called a thrombus) forming at the site of the plaque, which may block the artery altogether and cause the tissues normally supplied by the artery to die from lack of oxygen - this can happen in other organs in the body, but most commonly occurs in the heart, brain, the arteries of the limbs, the kidneys and the retina (the light sensitive part of eye).
Further Reading