Don't ignore common signs of high blood pressure – including 'silent killer' (2025)

High blood pressure is very common health problem, but it can be managed with lifestyle changes. A cardiologist has shared seven signs that you may have it

A cardiologist has revealed the seven key signs that could suggest you're suffering from high blood pressure, a condition also known as hypertension. This health issue is particularly prevalent among older adults and can place additional stress on various organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes, potentially leading to severe complications like heart attacks and strokes if not managed properly.

While maintaining fitness and regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, factors such as genetics and aging can also play a role. Cardiologist Dr Evan Levine has taken to TikTok to educate people on what to look out for when it comes to hypertension. "So what are the most common symptoms of hypertension? I am Dr Evan Levine, a board certified cardiologist," he begins in the video.

So what are the most common symptoms? Dr Levine listed the top seven symptoms to watch for.

1. Headaches

"Number one is a headache," he explains, noting that it can occur across the forehead or at the back of the head.

Headaches may be a warning sign of a hypertensive crisis, an urgent medical condition where blood pressure reaches perilously high levels. The NHS describes these headaches as a persistent, pressing sensation on both sides of the head, often radiating from the back of the head and neck towards the front.

2. Blurred vision

The expert continued with the second symptom, saying: "Blurred vision is another very common symptom."

People with elevated blood pressure face an increased risk of hypertensive retinopathy, according to the American Heart Association. This condition involves damage to the retina's tiny blood vessels.

Blurred vision can also result from choroidopathy, which occurs when fluid accumulates under the retina, leading to distorted vision or scarring that impairs sight, or from optic nerve damage. Both conditions can stem from high blood pressure.

3. Shortness of breath

Dr Levine then explained: "Number three is shortness of breath, usually when you're walking, but if it gets really severe you can get short of breath even at rest."

Pulmonary hypertension, a specific type of high blood pressure, can trigger breathlessness by increasing the heart's workload, making it more challenging to circulate blood to the lungs, as explained by the NHS.

4. Chest pain

Dr Levine has highlighted chest pains as a significant symptom of high blood pressure, likening it to angina experienced during physical exertion due to the heart's increased workload.

Experiencing chest pains in conjunction with high blood pressure could indicate angina or other cardiac issues. The NHS strongly advises seeking immediate medical help if you encounter sudden or persistent chest pain that manifests as squeezing, pressure, or tightness.

5. Nose bleeds

Another symptom linked to high blood pressure, which may come as a surprise to some, is nose bleeds, according to Dr Levine.

"Some people say nosebleeds, we call it epistaxis," he said, acknowledging that there are sceptics: "Some people don't believe in that."

While hypertension on its own is not typically seen as a direct cause of nosebleeds unless extremely high, it can still damage nasal blood vessels and make them more prone to bleeding.

Nonetheless, Healthline indicates that ongoing research suggests a higher incidence of nosebleeds in individuals with chronic high blood pressure.

6. Frothy urine

Dr Levine also noted frothy urine as a symptom, explaining: "And number six is frothy urine," adding: "It's frothy because you're spilling protein when you go to the bathroom and you notice that."

Persistent hypertension that isn't well-managed may harm the kidneys' filtration system, resulting in protein leakage into the urine, explains the Mayo Clinic.

7. Nothing

A health expert has warned that the most common symptom of hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often nothing at all. He said: "The number one symptom of hypertension, the most common symptom by far that everyone should know about is nothing," and added: "That's right, that's what we call the silent killer. So you need to get your blood pressure checked at least annually."

For those unable to afford a doctor's visit, he suggested an alternative: "Now if you can't afford to see your physician, well, check it at home. Get an Omron blood pressure cuff on Amazon, watch a YouTube video before, and share the cuff with you friends and family."

He further emphasised the importance of regular checks, saying: "Remember, the most common symptom of hypertension is nothing. You don't want to present with heart failure, a stroke, or a heart attack because you didn't check your blood pressure."

If you suspect you may have high blood pressure or are at risk, the NHS advises contacting your GP or getting your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy. In case of sudden chest pain or discomfort that doesn't subside, or if you experience symptoms like sweating, nausea, light-headedness or shortness of breath along with chest pain, dial 999 immediately.