Headache High Blood Pressure

Headache high blood pressure. Is this the term that runs through your mind if you are starting to have headaches? Sometimes the headaches will start first, before someone even knows that they have hypertension.

High blood pressure or hypertension (HTN) most of the time has a cause that is unknown. Part of the time it may be due to genetics and then is referred to as "familial hypertension". Occasionally, it might be caused by medical conditions such as cancer, hyperthyroid, and even pregnancy. Some medications can also induce HTN.

Often times, with medical conditions, when the condition is corrected, the hypertension resolves.

There is one type of headache associated with high blood pressure that could be an emergency. This is the thunderclap headache.

high blood pressure headache, thunderclap headache

What Does The Headache Feel Like?

A headache from high blood pressure is not like a migraine. There ususally is no sign of photophobia (light avoidance), phonophobia (sound avoidance) or nausea.

The headache high blood pressure connection usually means head pain that is dull and diffuse in nature. It is all over your head. Some patients have told me that it feels like a pressure sensation when it starts getting worse as the blood pressure rises.

Treatment

Treatment for this type of headache involves getting the HTN under control. This starts with diet and exercise...watch the salt intake and the alcohol. Stop smoking as soon as you can!

Medications for high blood pressure range from diurectics to drugs that work on the arteries or those that affect the hormones regulating blood pressure. Once the pressure comes down, the headaches resolve.

If you think you have high blood pressure, and you have headaches, see your doctor soon and discuss options.

Read more about different types of headaches.