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What is the Connection Between Fatigue and High Blood Pressure?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Fatigue and high blood pressure are linked in several ways. In people with chronic high blood pressure who are not receiving treatment, fatigue can be a symptom, as well as an indicator of damage to the cardiovascular system. In addition, certain medications used to manage high blood pressure have fatigue as a side effect, especially during the adjustment period when patients first start taking the medication. High blood pressure is usually associated with a constellation of other symptoms.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as the point when blood pressure measurements start reaching 140/90 or higher. Many people do not experience symptoms, especially in the early stage, and the increased pressure does not directly cause fatigue. If the patient is not treated, however, the chronic hypertension starts to damage the organs of the body, including the kidneys, heart, eyes, and brain.

A patient may feel nauseous when organs are damaged due to high blood pressure.
A patient may feel nauseous when organs are damaged due to high blood pressure.

When organs are damaged due to high blood pressure, the patient may quickly become fatigued. He or she can also experience symptoms like nausea, blurred vision, and confusion, depending on which organs are damaged and the extent of the damage. Such symptoms may lead the patient to seek medical attention, and if the high blood pressure has not already been identified, it will likely be diagnosed at this time. A medical professional will also ask about symptoms to gauge the severity and duration of the problem.

In the early stages, hypertension may be manageable with exercise.
In the early stages, hypertension may be manageable with exercise.

Patients with high blood pressure who start taking medications to manage it when other measures do not work can also develop fatigue. In this case, fatigue and high blood pressure are linked because when people first start taking medications, the body can sense the reduced blood flow as the blood pressure starts to drop. This can cause dizziness and fatigue until the body adjusts to the more normal blood pressure, at which point the patient should start to feel better. Patients on medication who are experiencing fatigue can discuss the possibility of medication holidays with a healthcare professional during the adjustment period if they feel the fatigue is debilitating.

Blood pressure readings higher than 140/90 indicate high blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings higher than 140/90 indicate high blood pressure.

People can avoid fatigue and other problems by taking prompt action when their blood pressure starts to rise. In the early stages, hypertension may be manageable with diet and exercise, before any damage has set in or medication becomes necessary. Having blood pressure measurements taken regularly will allow people to identify rises in blood pressure when the problem is still easy to treat.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

turquoise

@ysmina-- I'm not a doctor but I'm sure there is a connection. The article already explained how high blood pressure causes fatigue. And I know from myself that stress and anxiety causes high blood pressure. If I get in a fight with anyone, my blood pressure rises and I start feeling unwell.

There is probably a direct connection between stress and fatigue as well.

I think everything in the body is connected. If we're in mental distress, it's bound to have effects on the body and the other way around also.

ysmina
Is there a connection between fatigue, stress, and high blood pressure?
literally45

My mom has high blood pressure but it's under control with medications. She doesn't feel fatigue unless there is an unexpected rise and fall.

When her blood pressure goes up, she immediately experiences a high blood pressure headache and pain in her neck. She checks her blood pressure and takes medication accordingly. But when the blood pressure goes down, she feels very tired and has to take a nap.

I think the sudden rises and falls tire out her system.

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    • A patient may feel nauseous when organs are damaged due to high blood pressure.
      By: Remains
      A patient may feel nauseous when organs are damaged due to high blood pressure.
    • In the early stages, hypertension may be manageable with exercise.
      By: LoloStock
      In the early stages, hypertension may be manageable with exercise.
    • Blood pressure readings higher than 140/90 indicate high blood pressure.
      By: Andrei Tsalko
      Blood pressure readings higher than 140/90 indicate high blood pressure.
    • Certain blood pressure medications may produce fatigue.
      By: jedi-master
      Certain blood pressure medications may produce fatigue.
    • Both high blood pressure and fatigue can be debilitating if not treated.
      By: naka
      Both high blood pressure and fatigue can be debilitating if not treated.
    • Organ damage due to high blood pressure may lead to fatigue.
      By: Rido
      Organ damage due to high blood pressure may lead to fatigue.
    • Some medicines used to lower blood pressure may cause fatigue.
      By: krutoeva
      Some medicines used to lower blood pressure may cause fatigue.
    • Fatigue and high blood pressure may be caused by bulimia.
      By: Sylvie Bouchard
      Fatigue and high blood pressure may be caused by bulimia.