There are high blood pressure signs you should be aware of, regardless if you are taking birth control pills or not. However, for most high blood pressure sufferers, recognizing signs can be easier said than done. The reason is because high blood pressure generally has no symptoms due to the fact that the basic warning signs associated with it are extremely vague.

Nevertheless, the following are the basic warning high blood pressure signs you should be aware of:

 Headaches

 Dizziness

 Nosebleeds

 Flushed face

 Fatigue.

As you can see, from the above list of symptoms, it is easy for someone to ignore or mistaken these symptoms as another problem. This is why high blood pressure is commonly known as "the silent killer", because for those who don't receive regular blood pressure checkups, it usually isn't until one experiences the more extreme symptoms that he/she seeks medical attention.

The following extreme high blood pressure signs occur if high blood pressure (blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg.) has been persistent, severe and left untreated for a long time. The symptoms are usually the result of damage that has been done to the brain, eyes, kidney and heart.

They include:

 Severe unexplained headache

 Fatigue

 Restlessness

 Nausea

 Vomiting

 Shortness of breath

 Blurred vision

 Chest pain or shortness of breath after slight exertion

More extreme signs include:

 Eye damage and loss of vision

 Organ failure - kidneys and/or heart fail

 Heart attack

 Stroke or a transient ischemic attack (better known as a mini stroke)

 Aneurysm

 Peripheral arterial disease

 Brian swelling - this is rare but can cause drowsiness and coma.

Note: if you are experiencing any of the above extreme signs visit your hospital emergency department immediately.

How can high blood pressure be treated?

First of all, regardless if you have high blood pressure signs or not, always have your blood pressure checked annually, and inform you doctor if you have a family history of hypertension, kidney failure, heart attack or stroke, as this increases your risk.

That being said, high blood pressure can be managed thorough lifestyle changes, but depending on the severity of the condition, some individuals may benefit from a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatment.

Lifestyle changes -

Food - Limit and eliminate food products that encourage high blood pressure including, table salt, cooking salt, salty and processed foods, foods high in saturated fat, sugary foods and drinks, caffeine and alcohol.

Quit smoking - Nicotine in cigarettes causes the blood vessels to constrict, and increases blood pressure.

Exercise - Physical activity actually works to reduce blood pressure while inactivity increases blood pressure. Exercise is a great way to keep your body healthy and strong, and is a fantastic way to lose and maintain a good weight.

Lose weight - If you are exceptionally overweight or obese you are putting excess pressure on your heart. You must reduce your weight by incorporating regular exercise and healthy eating habits in your lifestyle. Avoid crash diets as these can only make your condition worse.

Medication - If your doctor feels you require medication to help control your high blood pressure signs, you may be prescribed medication to help relieve the stress that is being placed on your heart, organs and blood vessels including: diuretics (water pills), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Alpha-blockers, etc.

Remember although medications can help, lifestyle changes are essential for controlling high blood pressure.

It is vital that you realize high blood pressure can go undetected for years and cause no symptoms while still damaging the blood vessels, heart and other organs. Therefore, if you suspect you have high blood pressure signs, are unsure if you do, or even if you don't, always visit your health care provider annually to have your blood pressure checked. Monitoring your blood pressure, and taking action to control it when it's high, is the only way you can protect yourself from the silent killer.