According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the leading cause of stroke and a major cause of heart attack worldwide. People often associate headaches with high blood pressure, but hypertension is referred to as the "silent killer" because most people have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings are high. The relationship between headache and hypertension has been debated for many years.
Hypertension
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force in the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood through the body. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers. The first number is the pressure as the heart beats or contracts (systolic). The second number is the pressure when the heart relaxes (diastolic). Typical or "normal blood pressure" is 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Hypertension is considered a repeatedly elevated blood pressure greater than 140/90.
Headaches
According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), high blood pressure may cause an occasional headache, but in general it does not produce recurring headaches. However, repeated or worsening headaches often make doctors suspect high blood pressure. Interestingly, some high blood pressure medications can also cause headache. The NHF describes hypertensive headaches as causing generalized or "hairband" type pain. They are most severe in the morning and diminish throughout the day.
The Mayo Clinic reports that tension headaches, the most common type of headache, cause mild to moderate pain that feels like pressure or throbbing. These headaches affect the front, top or sides of the head, begin gradually and often occur in the middle of the day. It is well known that stressful situations can increase blood pressure (BP). Therefore, many people with elevated BP will most likely have a tension headache at some point in their lives.
Recent Research
Headaches may occur if blood pressure is 200/110 or higher, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Recent research shows that people with slightly or moderately high blood pressure actually have fewer headaches than those whose blood pressure is not elevated. In 2008 a Norwegian research team published findings that suggest that headache risk may rise as blood pressure falls. The only way to diagnose hypertension is by blood pressure checks.
