Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. However, symptoms may develop when the blood pressure changes rapidly or become very high.

The first signs of worsening hypertension include:

• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Mild fatigue
• Systolic blood pressure reading (top number) over 200
• Diastolic blood pressure reading (bottom number) over 100

As hypertension worsens, your symptoms worsen:

• Worsening headaches
• Worsening vision
• Moderate fatigue
• Palpitations
• Tinnitus
• Systolic blood pressure reading (top number) over 210
• Diastolic blood pressure reading (bottom number) over 110

Without treatment, your symptoms become serious:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Severe headache
• Loss of vision
• Confusion
• Poor balance or coordination
• Severe weakness
• Systolic blood pressure reading (top number) over 220
• Diastolic blood pressure reading (bottom number) over 120