Your blood pressure level, which is a measurement of the pressure of your blood as it flows through your arteries, can rise due to factors like stress and heart disease. Heart disease occurs because of increased pressure in the arteries caused by buildup of plaque in the arterial walls. An unhealthy diet, accompanied by lack of exercise and high cholesterol levels in the body, contributes to the plaque buildup in the arteries. A healthy systolic and diastolic blood pressure level is about 120/70, and anything above this range--especially the top, or systolic, reading--can indicate a need to seek medical attention.
Dull Headache
Sometimes a dull headache may occur as a result of a high blood pressure, AmericanHeart.org reports. The headache may be thought of as stress-related and may not be thought of as serious to warrant seeing a doctor over at first. As more headaches develop, however, other changes may occur. Chest pain may begin to accompany the headache as well. Usually when blood pressure gets very high, you might feel ill enough to make a trip to the emergency room for an evaluation.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness
General feelings of illness and dizziness may be present, MayoClinic.com indicates.Your may feel lightheaded when bending over or changing position. The lightheaded feeling may occur suddenly or may occur at different times on a continuum. Although high blood pressure has been considered a silent killer, there are still signs of change in your feelings of good health to watch out for.
Palpitations in Chest
Due to heart disease, the person experiencing a higher than normal systolic blood pressure may experience palpitations in his chest, MedlinePlus indicates. The heart may pound as it attempts to pump blood throughout the body through narrowed arteries, which also depletes the pumping ability for blood to flow easily in the body.
Visual Changes
Vision changes have been reported in those with high systolic blood pressure readings, MedlinePlus indicates. The person may see flashes of light that may occur without warning.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds may occur as the high blood pressure continues over a period of time. Untreated high blood pressure leads to this symptom. A high blood pressure crisis may have occurred and the person should have an evaluation at the emergency room. Usually the systolic top reading of blood pressure ranges about 180 at that time.
