Medical professionals are bringing two lesser-known facial indicators to people’s attention that may indicate a major health issue. According to estimates, one-third of adults in the UK have hypertension, or high blood pressure, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body.
Numerous serious health problems, such as heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease, are associated with this syndrome. About half of people with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition, and despite its ubiquity, high blood pressure frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated until it causes a serious health crisis.
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Public Health England has dubbed high blood pressure a “silent killer” due in part to its absence of symptoms. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) agrees, saying that “high blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms.”
“Many people with high blood pressure feel fine,” the organization advises. However, you should still check your blood pressure regularly even if you feel well.
However, there are some warning indicators that some people may still exhibit. Usually occurring in cases of “very high” blood pressure, the World Health Organization (WHO) lists nosebleeds and blurred vision as two such symptoms that might appear on the face.
Nosebleeds
The NHS also admits that those with high blood pressure are more likely to get nosebleeds. However, some medical professionals disagree about the connection between nosebleeds and high blood pressure.
Medical Associates of North Texas have said: “While most experts believe that hypertension alone doesn’t cause nosebleeds unless your blood pressure is extremely high, it can damage the blood vessels inside your nose, making bleeding more likely.” They also noted that “Some recent research has found that hypertension may increase your risk of more severe nosebleeds.”
Evidence includes a 2020 study showing that those with high blood pressure were almost three times more likely than people with normal blood pressure to require emergency care for nosebleeds.
In the meantime, another study conducted in 2015 revealed that half of the 80 participants experienced recurrent nosebleeds during a three-month trial. According to this study, although hypertension was not the direct cause of nosebleeds, it did make them more difficult for people with the condition to control.
Blurred vision
The WHO emphasizes that damage to the tiny blood vessels in the eyes can result in vision abnormalities, including blurred vision, in patients whose blood pressure reaches 180/120 or higher. Accordingly, the American Heart Association found that people with hypertension may experience specific eyesight issues.
If the retina doesn’t receive enough blood flow, blood vessel damage might result in blurred vision or even total blindness. Another issue is fluid buildup under the retina, which can result in blurred vision or blinding scarring.
Furthermore, obstruction of blood flow to the optic nerve might result in nerve injury. The American Heart Association states that “High blood pressure may increase the risk of developing other eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause vision impairment or blindness if left untreated.”
Additionally, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath are listed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as possible indicators of high blood pressure. Testing, which can be done by your doctor or with an at-home kit, is the only method to know if you have high blood pressure.
