Blood pressure is the amount of force with which the blood passes through the arteries and blood vessels. According to Cedars-Sinai Health System, an ideal blood pressure reading is 120/80. When measurements begin to climb higher, and stay that way for a length of time, it is considered high blood pressure. There are often no symptoms for high blood pressure, and it is often found during a routine checkup or screening. However, if blood pressure becomes high and remains so for some time, it can produce life-threatening conditions that do have symptoms.
Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension is a condition that occurs when blood pressure becomes extremely high, very quickly. The National Institutes of Health state that the bottom number (diastolic) is often over 130. Symptoms of malignant hypertension include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache and chest pain. According to the Merck Manual Online Medical Library, blurred vision can also occur. This is a result of the high blood pressure causing the retina to swell and eventually bleed.
Hypertensive Encephalopathy
When blood pressure is critically elevated for a period of time, it can also cause hypertensive encephalopathy (HE). The Merck Manual states that with HE, the brain swells, and this leads to many of the same symptoms as malignant hypertension, such as nausea and vomiting. In HE, however, the headaches tend to get progressively worse, and one can also become confused, sleepy and possibly fall into a coma.
Chest Pain
Untreated high blood pressure can also lead to chest pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, the increased pressure in the arteries can cause several things to happen. It can damage the walls and linings of the arteries, and create hardening of the arteries, which can cause chest pain and angina. This decrease in blood flow can also cause an irregular heart beat.
