High Blood Pressure
and Headaches

If you have severe headaches or migraines, it is important to seek out a doctor's opinion to make sure that the condition is improved.

In the early 1900's, it was believed by doctors that people who have high blood pressure tend to have more headaches.

In some instances, it was assumed that if you had a number of headaches that this could mean you have high blood pressure.

However, recent research has shown that this is no longer likely. Blood pressure does not cause headaches. Interestingly, it is believed that those who have high blood pressure often suffer from fewer headaches then those that have controlled blood pressure.

How can this be? The American Heart Association reports that a study published in the Neurology journal showcased this particular fact. Those who participated in the study who had a higher systolic blood pressure number (the first or top number in blood pressure readings) were less likely to have headaches compared with those who had healthy blood pressure readings. In fact, they were 40 percent less likely to have headaches.

Pulse Pressure

In addition to the systolic numbers, the pulse pressure revealed some interesting things. Pulse pressure is figured by subtracting the diastolic reading (the second or bottom number in the reading) by the systolic reading.

Those who had a pulse pressure that was higher showed 50 percent less headaches than those with a lower rating. Although they are not sure, researchers believe that when the pulse pressure is higher, the blood vessels are harder.

Those who have high blood pressure have stiffer blood vessels. Because of this stiffness, the nerve endings in the area are not functioning properly. Nerves send pain messages to the brain. Therefore, researchers believe that because these nerves are not working properly and they are not sending pain messages to the brain effectively.

Extreme Blood Pressure

There is one indication in which high blood pressure and headaches do interact with each other. If your blood pressure is above 180/110, this may lead to a headache. In this case, there is a medical emergency.

It is important to note that high blood pressure at this level could be an indication of a stroke. One of the first warning signs of a stroke is a severe headache without another explanation.

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The Ravages of High Blood Pressure

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