High blood pressure: Seven warning signs emergency care is required – complications

Typically, sustained high blood pressure has no physical warning signs, hence why it has been dubbed the “silent killer”. However, extremely high blood pressure could cause bodily sensations alerting you to the fact that you need medical care. If you experience severe chest pain, this could be a symptom of a hypertensive crisis, and you should dial 999. If you – or somebody close to you – experiences a severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision, ring for an ambulance.

Seven warning signs of extremely high blood pressure:

1. Severe chest pain
2. Severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Severe anxiety
5. Shortness of breath
6. Seizures
7. Unresponsiveness.

“Treatment for hypertensive crisis may include hospitalisation for treatment with oral or intravenous medication,” said the Mayo Clinic.