High blood pressure (hypertension) leads over time to damage to the arteries that can cause either a blood clot blocking an artery or bleeding from an artery. It is a particular problem when it accompanies diabetes.

Associated with and a result of high blood pressure and arterial disease are:-

Heart attack symptoms include heart pain characterised by a severe crushing central chest pain perhaps with pain radiating down the left armphysical collapse.

Stroke symptoms include weakness or paralysis of one side of the body and perhaps paralysis or weakness of the opposite side of the face.

Kidney failure symptoms are more vague but should include an episode of passing small amounts of urine with some swelling of legs followed by the production of excessive amounts of urine and thirst. This is very variable.

Blood pressure monitors are widely available and can help the blood pressure sufferer to monitor their own blood pressure at home without needing a medical professional. This has advantages in that the normal stress related blood pressure rise - "white coat hypertension" - that occurs when a professional checks a blood pressure is avoided. Blood pressure monitors can be digital (on the finger), wrist or arm.

Also helpful may be our pages for stroke, headache, diabetes, senior care and migraine.