High blood pressure is a condition that often happens with age and a person is deemed to have high blood pressure when they have a top reading (systolic pressure) higher than 140 and a bottom reading (diastolic pressure) higher than 90. You are more at risk of developing high blood pressure if you are overweight, have a family history of high blood pressure, are a heavy drinker, or have a poor diet and do no exercise. If left untreated, high blood pressure causes damage to the heart, arteries and kidneys, which further puts you at risk of possible sudden death from a stroke and heart attack.

If you have felt a strange numbing feeling or a slight paralysis, it is a major sign of high blood pressure and should not be ignored as it could be a sign you are at risk of having a stroke.

People have described a feeling of being paralysed on one side of their body or a complete numbness. This sudden numbness is a serious medical problem and is due to the disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain due to a lack of oxygen.

Blood pressure UK and The Stroke Association recommend using the FAST test to check whether you are having a stroke:

F – Facial weakness

Check if the person is smiling or if their mouth or eyes have drooped. Has the face fallen to one side.

A – Arm weakness

Can the arms be raised and can they stay there.

S – Speech problems

Is the speech slurred, can they understand what is being said and are they speaking clearly.

T – Time

Call 999 if any of these signs are detected.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure caused damage to blood vessels to the brain by becoming more narrow.

Over time, this raises the risk of a blood vessel bursting or being blocked. If blood cannot carry energy and oxygen to part of the brain due to this blocked or burst blood vessel, some cells in the brain may be damaged or even die.

This is known as a stroke and could lead to a permanent disability or even death.

It’s imperative to measure your blood pressure consistently and be aware of the major signs and symptoms of high blood pressure which include:

• Severe headaches
• Confusion and fatigue
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in urine
• Difficulty breathing

The NHS said: “The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.

“All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years and getting this done is easy and could save your life.”

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High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a long-term medical condition which involves the blood pressure in the arteries which becomes persistently elevated. The symptoms of having high blood pressure are not obvious and if left untreated it puts a person at high risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, vision loss, chronic kidney disease and dementia. A person’s evening toilet habit could be a sign of the condition and frequent trips to the loo at night could mean you are at risk of having high blood pressure. Needing to urinate at night every now and then should not be a cause for concern but if you are going to the loo every night, this could be a major sign of high blood pressure.

A study in Japan looked at 1,882 people who had an annual health check that included blood pressure measurements. Of the 1,882 participants 1,295 got up to pee at least once a night on average.

Researchers from the division of hypertension in Tohuku Rosai Hospital evaluated the association between high blood pressure and nocturia, a condition that causes frequent urinating at night.

This is compared to those who slept all night without going to the bathroom and those who got up to urinate at least once per night and were 1.4 times more likely to have high blood pressure.

Doctor Satoshi Konno of the division of hypertension at the Tohoku Rosai Hospital said: “Our study indicates that if you need to urinate in the night, called nocturia, you may have elevated blood pressure or excess fluid in your body.

“If you continue to have nocturia, ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and salt intake.”

The frequent need to go to the toilet at night not only disturbs one’s sleeping pattern but could also be a sign of a serious health condition.

Researchers believe the connection between getting up to urinate at night and high blood pressure is down to the dietary salt intake and previous studies have shown a diet high in salt is associated with having to urinate more at night.

There is a strong link between salt in the diet and high blood pressure.

Cutting back the salt intake in your diet could help lower your blood pressure, put you less at risk of developing serious health conditions and ensures a better night’s sleep. Foods such as ham, sausage, bacon, ancovies and pizza have a very high salt intake and you should try to avoid these types of foods.

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High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a common condition that can silently damage your body over time. One of the most serious complications is the thickening of the heart wall, especially the left side, known medically as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Understanding this risk, and how to prevent it, is crucial for anyone living with or at risk for high blood pressure.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. High blood pressure is usually defined as a reading consistently above 130/80 mmHg.

• Primary (essential) hypertension: No specific cause; related to genetics, lifestyle.
• Secondary hypertension: Caused by another condition (e.g., kidney disease, hormonal disorders).

Hypertension often has no symptoms, which is why it’s called the “silent killer.”

How Does High Blood Pressure Thicken the Heart Wall?

Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood. When blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to your body. Over time, just like lifting heavy weights makes arm muscles bigger, this extra work causes the wall of the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to thicken. This is called left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Why Is a Thickened Heart Wall Bad?

• Reduced pumping efficiency: The thickened muscle can become stiff and less able to fill with blood.
• Oxygen demand: A bigger heart muscle needs more oxygen, increasing the risk of angina (chest pain) and heart attacks.
• Electrical problems: Thickened muscle can disrupt the heart’s electrical system, causing arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• Increased risk: People with LVH have a higher risk of heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Symptoms to Watch For

Many people have no symptoms at all, even with a thickened heart wall. If symptoms do develop, they may include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Chest pain or pressure
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Fatigue, weakness

Note: These symptoms may signal advanced disease. Most people do not feel anything until the condition is serious.

How Is Heart Wall Thickening Diagnosed?

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): May show changes suggesting LVH.
• Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound): The best test. It measures the thickness of the heart walls and how well the heart pumps.
• MRI: Rarely used, but can give very detailed images.
• Routine check-ups: People with high blood pressure should have regular check-ups to monitor for complications.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• People with uncontrolled or long-standing high blood pressure
• Older adults (risk increases with age)
• People with kidney disease
• Those with a family history of heart disease
• People who smoke, are obese, eat a high-salt diet, or are physically inactive

How Can You Prevent Heart Wall Thickening?

The best prevention is to control your blood pressure! Here’s how:

1. Lifestyle Changes

• Eat a healthy, low-salt diet (such as the DASH or Mediterranean diet)
• Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes most days)
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
• Manage stress (meditation, relaxation, hobbies)

2. Take Your Medications

If prescribed, take blood pressure medicines exactly as directed. Common medications include:

• ACE inhibitors
• ARBs
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics

Do not stop your medicine without talking to your doctor!

3. Regular Check-ups

• Monitor your blood pressure at home, if recommended
• Get regular doctor visits and heart check-ups
• Report any new symptoms immediately

What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure?

1. Check your blood pressure regularly.
2. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all appointments.
3. Adopt heart-healthy habits (diet, exercise, avoid smoking/alcohol).
4. Know the warning signs of heart trouble (see symptoms above).
5. Talk to your doctor about getting an echocardiogram if you have long-standing or hard-to-control hypertension.

Summary Checklist

• Check your blood pressure regularly
• Take your medicines as prescribed
• Eat a low-salt, balanced diet
• Stay physically active
• Get regular heart check-ups
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Watch for symptoms, but remember LVH is often silent

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe shortness of breath
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

These could be signs of serious heart complications.

Final Words

High blood pressure can silently thicken your heart wall and raise your risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. But with good management, regular check-ups, and heart-healthy habits, you can dramatically lower your risk and protect your heart for years to come.

Take charge of your blood pressure — your heart will thank you!

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