Doctor warns of overlooked early signs people miss before hypertension diagnosis
Emergency medicine specialist explains that common symptoms like headaches, dizziness and fatigue are often ignored before high blood pressure is detected
Hypertension is often called a “silent killer” because it can develop gradually without obvious warning signs. Many people only discover they have high blood pressure during routine checks or after complications arise.
A doctor has highlighted the subtle symptoms that are frequently dismissed in the early stages of the condition.
“Symptoms are not obvious in early stages”
Speaking about delayed diagnosis, Dr Murtaza S Bagwala said hypertension often goes unnoticed because it develops slowly.
“One of the biggest reasons why people are not diagnosed early is because the symptoms are not obvious in the early stages of the condition, and it develops slowly and quietly,” he said.
Signs often mistaken for stress or fatigue
According to Dr Bagwala, many early symptoms are mild and non-specific, which leads people to attribute them to lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of sleep or work pressure.
These may include frequent headaches, dizziness, fatigue, head heaviness, blurred vision, irritability, poor sleep, and shortness of breath during routine activity.
He noted that most individuals tend to overlook these warning signs, assuming they are temporary or related to daily strain.
Why hypertension is often missed?
Because the symptoms are subtle, many people delay medical checks. In some cases, blood pressure is only discovered during screening when levels are already significantly high.
Doctors warn that untreated hypertension can silently damage vital organs over time, including the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.
Hypertension as a silent threat
Hypertension is widely referred to as a “silent killer” because it can cause serious internal damage even when symptoms are minimal or absent.
If left unmanaged, it significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney complications.
When to get checked?
Dr Bagwala recommends regular blood pressure monitoring, especially for people over 30 or those with risk factors such as family history, obesity, diabetes, smoking or chronic stress.
He emphasised that early detection and timely management can significantly reduce long-term health risks, making routine screening an essential preventive step.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.