Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

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Question:

Are these symptoms from high blood pressure: headaches, heart racing, fatigue and salty taste/saliva?

Answer:

Your symptoms — alone — would not be caused by high blood pressure. That does not mean that your blood pressure is not high. In fact, whatever causes your symptoms might also drive your blood pressure up.

Most often people are not aware that their blood pressure is high. That is why it is called the "silent killer." The only way to know if your blood pressure is elevated is to have it measured.

There are many possible reasons for your symptoms. You should call your doctor for advice.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2009

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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