Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the artery walls when the heart contracts and pushes blood throughout the body. This is an important vital indicator, reflecting the cardiovascular health of each person. Normal blood pressure helps maintain a stable blood flow to the organs, nourishing the brain, heart, kidneys and the entire circulatory system.
However, when this pressure increases abnormally (often exceeding 140/90 mmHg), it is called hypertension (or high blood pressure). This condition increases the burden on the heart, damages blood vessels and is a leading risk factor for stroke, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and vision loss.
In women, especially women from middle age onwards, the risk of high blood pressure increases significantly due to hormonal changes, psychological stress, and a sedentary lifestyle. Perimenopauses and menopause also make women more susceptible to high blood pressure than men of the same age.
What are the early warning signs of blood pressure?
Recognizing the early signs of high blood pressure in women is extremely important to be able to control it promptly and prevent dangerous complications.
Below are the early warning signs of high blood pressure in women that you should not ignore:
1. Dull headache, especially in the morning
One of the first signs that many women experience when their blood pressure is high is a dull headache in the back of the neck or on top of the head. The pain often appears in the early morning, and may be accompanied by a feeling of tension and heaviness in the head. Unlike headaches caused by stress or insomnia, this type of pain is persistent, sometimes not relieved even after resting.
In women, headaches can be mistaken for a sign of fatigue, premenstrual syndrome or stress. However, if this condition persists and is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, blood pressure should be checked early.
2. Dizziness and loss of balance
A sudden feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of balance when changing positions is a sign that the body is reacting to increased blood pressure. This symptom is common in middle-aged women, especially when the weather changes or after a stressful day at work.
Dizziness is often underestimated and ignored, but it can be an early warning that your circulatory system is malfunctioning due to high blood pressure.
3. Flushing and feeling hot
When blood pressure suddenly increases, blood vessels dilate to adapt, causing a flushed face and a burning sensation in the cheeks and neck. Some women describe this feeling as a mild hot flash, which can easily be mistaken for symptoms of menopause.
If flushing and feeling hot occurs frequently, especially when you are not in a hot environment or not exercising vigorously, this could be a sign of high blood pressure that you should be aware of.
4. Shortness of breath when exercising lightly
If you feel short of breath when walking quickly, climbing stairs or performing daily activities that were previously easy, this could be a sign that your heart is having to work harder than usual to pump blood throughout the body, a consequence of high blood pressure.
Women often ignore this symptom, thinking it is due to poor physical condition or age. However, if you find yourself getting tired easily and short of breath after just starting to do light exercise, it is a sign that needs to be checked.
5. Unusually fast heartbeat
Feeling like your heart is beating fast, nervous or pounding (even when you are sitting down to rest) is a sign that many women ignore. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increases the heart rate and causes a distinct “heart pounding in your chest” feeling.
If this happens frequently, especially in the evening or when you have just climbed stairs, do not ignore it. This could be an early sign of a blood pressure problem that you have not yet discovered.
6. Blurred vision or double vision
Another worrying symptom is sudden changes in vision, blurred vision or double vision. High blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the eye, leading to reduced blood flow to the retina.
Many women ignore this symptom or think it is just tired eyes, but it can actually be an early sign of eye damage from high blood pressure, which if left untreated can lead to vision loss.
7. Mild swelling in the hands, feet or eyelids
Mild swelling in the feet, wrists or eyelids in the morning can be a sign of fluid retention due to high blood pressure. Women may notice that their shoes feel tighter at the end of the day, or that their rings leave marks.
This condition is often overlooked but can be a sign that the kidneys or heart are being affected (a common consequence of uncontrolled high blood pressure).
8. Difficulty sleeping, anxiety or restlessness
Many women with high blood pressure complain of insomnia, restless sleep, or waking up in the middle of the night with a racing heart or light sweat. Sometimes, unexplained anxiety also occurs, affecting sleep and mental well-being.
This is because high blood pressure affects the autonomic nervous system, making it difficult for the body to relax and enter a state of complete rest.
9. Nosebleeds of unknown origin
Although rare, sudden nosebleeds, not caused by collision or dry weather, can be a sign of abnormally high blood pressure. Blood pressure ruptures the small capillaries in the nose, especially if the blood pressure is very high.
If you have never had a nosebleed but have recently experienced it without any apparent reason, consider the possibility that there is a problem with your blood pressure.
10. Feeling tired, losing energy
Unlike fatigue from heavy work, fatigue from high blood pressure is a persistent feeling of exhaustion, not wanting to do anything, being easily out of breath and lacking motivation. Many women mistake this for signs of aging or lack of sleep, but in fact the circulatory system is working overtime. Feeling chronically tired is also an early warning sign that your heart and blood pressure need attention.
