Can hypertension make people feel tired?

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High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms. Most people only learn they have high blood pressure during screening or tests for other health conditions.

As such, anyone at increased risk of developing high blood pressure should monitor their blood pressure regularly.

Some symptoms may be indirectly related to high blood pressure but not necessarily caused by the condition itself. These include:

• blood spots in the eyes
• dizziness
• facial flushing

Hypertension can damage the small blood vessels inside the kidneys, preventing these organs from functioning properly.

Hypertension-induced kidney damage can cause tiredness and fatigue. Additional symptoms may include:

• swollen ankles, feet, and hands
• frequent urination, particularly at night
• itchy skin
• shortness of breath

A 2021 review notes that around 10–20% of all consultations with a doctor include reports of fatigue. According to the review, the most common causes of persistent fatigue are:

• sleep disorders, including sleep-related breathing disorders
• depression
• excessive psychological stress

Other common causes of fatigue may include the following:

• poor diet
• lack of exercise
• certain illnesses, such as glandular fever and COVID-19
• hormonal changes, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
• certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy

Treatment for high blood pressure may involve a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

If a person has any complications of hypertension, such as kidney disease, doctors will also take steps to treat these conditions.

Lifestyle changes

The AHA recommends that people regularly monitor their blood pressure to detect changes and address high blood pressure early on.

They also recommend that people make the following lifestyle changes to help manage high blood pressure:

• eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet that is low in salt
• exercise regularly
• maintain a healthy weight
• limit alcohol intake
• quit smoking
• manage or reduce stress
• take medications according to the prescribing doctor’s instructions
• work closely with a doctor to help achieve the target blood pressure

Medication

Medications for high blood pressure can help a person achieve and maintain a healthy blood pressure, reducing the risk of comorbidities such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

The AHA lists several medications for high blood pressure, including:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: ACE inhibitors reduce the body’s production of angiotensin, a hormone that narrows the arteries, which helps relax the blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.
• Angiotensin II antagonists: These medications also block the effects of angiotensin.
• Alpha-blockers: These relax and widen the blood vessel walls, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
• Vasodilators: These also lower blood pressure by relaxing and widening the blood vessel walls.
• Calcium channel blockers (CCBs): These medications reduce the amount of calcium entering the heart and blood vessel walls. This causes the blood vessels to relax, letting the heart receive more oxygenated blood. Some CCBs also slow the heart rate.
• Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers slow the heart rate, reducing the heart’s blood output and lowering blood pressure.
• Diuretics: Diuretics help the body remove excess salt and water, lowering blood pressure.

A person should speak with their doctor if they have a blood pressure reading outside the normal range. The AHA provides the following blood pressure ranges:

High blood pressure may fall into three stages, with the highest being a hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate medical attention. If a person’s systolic value reads 180 and their diastolic value is 120 or above, they should seek immediate help.

A person should also consider talking with their doctor if they are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure or if they experience symptoms that they believe may be due to high blood pressure comorbidities.

High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the blood vessel walls is consistently too high.

Hypertension does not typically cause symptoms, so people should receive regular blood pressure checks, especially if they are at risk of high blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthily, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol intake, can help people achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure. Some people may also require medications to lower their blood pressure.

Anyone concerned about high blood pressure or who has risk factors for this condition should see their doctor for further advice and guidance.