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What is the Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Nausea?

Christine Hudson
Christine Hudson

While high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" and many times comes with no symptoms, some people with prolonged high blood pressure may develop symptoms like nausea. High blood pressure and nausea may be closely related because the abnormal pressure causes a lack of oxygen to the brain. The heart of a person with high blood pressure has to work much harder to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body. After a prolonged period of time, this basic task may become too much for the heart and parts of the body, such as the outer limbs and brain, begin to lose their oxygen supply.

Quite often, symptoms of high blood pressure do not occur until the patient has had the condition for long enough that organs have become damaged. Without a routine check of her blood pressure, that patient may have no idea she have high blood pressure until these symptoms appear, at which point it may be too late. If high blood pressure and nausea have not gone untreated for too long, then it may be possible to treat the conditions with simple lifestyle changes. Common changes include a diet low in fat and salt, a moderate exercise routine, and eliminating any drugs or alcohol.

Someone who is experiencing high blood pressure and nausea should consult a doctor.
Someone who is experiencing high blood pressure and nausea should consult a doctor.

Any muscle which must work strenuously will begin to enlarge over time. Just as a person may build up size by working out their arms, so the heart's size also increases from hard work. Where moderate exercise creates healthy and strong muscles, too much begins to create problems. The same is true when the heart becomes too big. When the heart is grossly enlarged, regulating blood flow becomes very difficult, and shortness of breath occurs very quickly.

Untreated blood pressure can cause nausea.
Untreated blood pressure can cause nausea.

Once a person begins to experience shortness of breath and their heart begins to fail to regulate blood properly, the connection between high blood pressure and nausea becomes apparent. When these combined symptoms occur, a person's blood pressure is generally treated as a critical condition. Aggressive medicines such as diuretics may be administered, and the blood pressure is usually closely monitored until sufficient improvement is seen.

Symptoms of high blood pressure typically do not occur until a patient has had the condition long enough for organs to become damaged.
Symptoms of high blood pressure typically do not occur until a patient has had the condition long enough for organs to become damaged.

Another connection between high blood pressure and nausea may be very serious. High blood pressure may lead to a heart attack, and signs of a heart attack include pain in the chest, heavy sweating without any activity, and unexplained nausea, especially after any hard work. These symptoms can occur at any time and even if a person is unaware she has high blood pressure, they warrant an emergency visit to the hospital.

Discussion Comments

GreenWeaver

@Sneakers41 - Good for you. I know that when my sister was pregnant she developed preeclampsia which is pregnancy induced hypertension. It is really a dangerous condition and her entire body began retaining fluid and she had to be hospitalized.

She even had to have an emergency C section. It was really scary. She also said that she felt dizzy and nauseous a lot.

This high blood pressure and pregnancy combination can be really deadly and if it is not treated properly as it could lead to a coma. Thank goodness that my sister was okay.

This was about twenty years ago, now when pregnant women are diagnosed with this condition they are usually given bed rest and monitored really closely throughout their pregnancy.

sneakers41

Wow I didn’t even know that there was a connection between nausea and high blood pressure, but it makes sense because those are the same symptoms of a heart attack.

I know that controlling high blood pressure is really important. Last year my blood pressure was about 125/80 which was considered normal but close to being pre-hypertensive.

This year, the nurse said that my blood pressure was excellent. It was 100/70. It was really a result of daily exercise and changing my eating habits. They also say that when you become physically active for a while your resting heart rate also goes down as well because your heart does not have to work as hard.

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    • Someone who is experiencing high blood pressure and nausea should consult a doctor.
      By: AVAVA
      Someone who is experiencing high blood pressure and nausea should consult a doctor.
    • Untreated blood pressure can cause nausea.
      By: Adam Gregor
      Untreated blood pressure can cause nausea.
    • Symptoms of high blood pressure typically do not occur until a patient has had the condition long enough for organs to become damaged.
      By: Rido
      Symptoms of high blood pressure typically do not occur until a patient has had the condition long enough for organs to become damaged.
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      By: gstockstudio
      A food allergy may cause sudden nausea.
    • Coffee drinkers who experience nausea may be wise to limit their consumption, particularly if they suffer from hypertension.
      By: volff
      Coffee drinkers who experience nausea may be wise to limit their consumption, particularly if they suffer from hypertension.
    • Once a person begins to experience shortness of breath, the connection between blood pressure and nausea becomes apparent.
      By: DURIS Guillaume
      Once a person begins to experience shortness of breath, the connection between blood pressure and nausea becomes apparent.
    • Taking blood pressure medications before bed may cause better blood pressure control overall.
      By: Gabriel Blaj
      Taking blood pressure medications before bed may cause better blood pressure control overall.
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      Individuals who are overweight have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.