Did you know that about 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure? It’s a staggering statistic, especially considering that it can lead to deadly conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and even sudden cardiac arrest. So, if you are in between doctor’s visits and suspect that there may be something awry, it’d behoove you to get the simple test done as soon as you can.

And while most patients can live with, or even be unaware of, high blood pressure until a health crisis occurs, there are some symptoms that should not be ignored…

1. Dry Skin and Pre-Mature Aging

   Plagued by constant dry skin and pre-mature wrinkles? If you generally take good care of your skin, but you are starting to look quite a bit older than those in you peer group, you may be experiencing high blood pressure. This symptom is commonly found in females, especially between the ages of 40 and 49.

   It goes without saying that aging is part of life, but rapid wrinkling or sagging could indicate that something is going wrong internally.

2. Frequent Urination

   Many times, frequent urination is caused by something routine, like a bladder infection. Nevertheless, it can also mean that you are experiencing hypertension. This happens because the heart muscle weakens when blood pressure is too high, sometimes leading to damaged capillaries in the kidneys.

   When left untreated, this condition can also lead to kidney disease or even renal failure.

3. Stomach Pain

   If you suffer from mysterious stomach pains that have proven to be difficult to diagnose, your ailments may just have something to do with your blood pressure. Studies have shown that, when placed on a healthy diet with sufficient exercise, patients who had been experiencing chronic diarrhea, bloating, and cramps saw improvement.

4. Eye Damage

   Of course, our vision tends to worsen as we age, but blood spots, sudden vision loss, or fluid build-up may indicate something much more serious. Like the kidneys, your eyes also depend on a healthy flow of blood in order to function properly, which means, if they get too much, too little, or if there are blockages, your sight could end up going far too soon.

5. Dizziness

   Though not the direct sign of cardiac arrest, sudden dizziness is one of the first symptoms that stroke victims experience. Since hypertension can lead to, among other things, increased risk of stroke, this is something that should not be ignored.

   If you have a sudden dizzy spell, especially one that’s paired with blurred vision, numbness, or confusion, you need to get yourself to an emergency room ASAP.

6. Fatigue

   Unless you have a newborn in the house, or you suffer from insomnia, you shouldn’t have to live with chronic fatigue. Feeling weak, tired all of the time, or just plain down can mean a lot of things, but if you have high blood pressure, it could be the culprit.

7. Obesity

   Though obesity is a cause and not necessarily a symptom of high blood pressure, we think it’s important that you understand the risk factors involved with carrying extra weight. Not only can it bring on hypertension’s associated ailments, it can also mean that you are much more likely to develop diabetes and high cholesterol in the future.

What to do

As always, consult your physician first; he or she knows your body best. If you are diagnosed with hypertension or pre-hypertension, be sure to eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and take prescribed medications, if necessary.

Luckily, in most cases, high blood pressure is reversible, so don’t get down in the dumps if your numbers are a little high. Look at it as a second chance to reclaim your health—you can do it!

Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? In what ways do you lead a healthy lifestyle? How often do you get your blood pressure checked? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!