High blood pressure symptoms: The sign in a person’s eyes that could signal the condition

High blood pressure reads as 140/90mmHg on a blood pressure test. Without one of those machines, how could you know you have the deadly health condition? There’s a sign in your eye that could indicate you have the health issue.

An optometrist – an eye doctor – from America, Dr William White, says that while he does his routine examination on his patients, he’s always on the look out for clues indicating somebody is suffering from high blood pressure.

“We [optometrists] can see changes due to vascular conditions caused by hypertension,” he said.

Hypertension is the medical term given to high blood pressure.

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Dr White added: “The blood vessels in the retina can become a little more stiff and hardened.

“They’ll push on each other and cross, like two hoses in a confined space.

“When it gets really bad, we’ll see some of the blood vessels start to leak, we’ll see some haemorrhaging.

“And that can cause a whole range of vision issues.”

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The American Heart Association charity states high blood pressure can result in blurred vision or loss of sight.

Blurred vision occurs when there is a build-up of fluid under the retina.

And vision loss happens when a blood flow blockage kills nerve cells.

When high blood pressure isn’t recognised or managed well, the condition can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

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Underpinning this statement, a 2013 study published in the journal Hypertension focused its attention on 2,900 patients who showed signs of hypertensive retinopathy (blood vessel damage in the eyes).

After 13 years, they found those who had a mild form of hypertensive retinopathy had a 35 percent greater risk of stroke.

That risk increased to 137 percent with those who displayed moderate to severe hypertensive retinopathy.

Dr White said: “High blood pressure has a cumulative effect. If it’s uncontrolled over years, it’s going to cause damage later in life.”

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Blood Pressure UK state hypertension puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels.

Over time, this can cause both the heart and blood vessels to become weakened and damaged.

Persistent high blood pressure can result in a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease.

Having diabetes or high cholesterol furthers increases someone’s risk of adverse health consequences.

Aside from medication, if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are lifestyle changes you can begin to lower your blood pressure readings.

Firstly, eat more fruit and vegetables in your diet and try to keep to a healthy weight.

Secondly, it’s advisable to cut down on alcohol if you drink it. The recommended weekly limit is 14 units.

Thirdly, eat less salt by refraining from adding any to your meals.

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