High blood pressure symptoms
High blood pressure is called the 'silent killer' due to the lack of many noticeable symptoms.  This because once the body gets accustomed to a constant high blood pressure, the body does not react to it and no symptoms nor signs are present.  Although hypertension displays few symptoms, it can be a life-threatening condition.  This is why you should have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor or health care provider.   Some symptoms of hyper tension may include:

• dizziness
• ear buzzing (tinnitus)
• headaches
• nosebleeds

Low blood pressure symptoms
Hypotension symptoms can be occasional, due to temporary dehydration, or may be a result of something more serious, such as a neurological problem.  Low blood pressure, in contrast, manifests recognizable symptoms that include the following:

• blurred vision
• cold, clammy, pale skin
• depression
• dizziness
• fainting (syncope)
• fatigue
• lack of concentration
• nausea
• rapid, shallow breathing
• thirst

When to seek help
Because of the number of possible diagnoses for hypotension, you should consult your physician if these symptoms are occurring on a regular basis.  Likewise, if your blood pressure drops quickly, you should seek immediate medical attention. Additionally symptoms of high blood pressure may occur when high blood pressure is more serious.  Because of the lack of symptoms, it is important to have your family physician regularly check your blood pressure.

So now that we understand a little more about high and low blood pressure, how do doctors diagnose hypertension and hypotension?  What tests are required?  Keep reading our next section on how doctors diagnose blood pressure readings in order to understand how diagnoses for blood pressure are made.