Doctor reveals hypertension symptoms people commonly mistake for stress or tiredness

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects a significant number of people who remain entirely unaware of their condition — and a Mumbai-based emergency medicine specialist says the reason is simple: the warning signs are easy to dismiss.

Dr Murtaza S Bagwala, Head of Emergency Medical Services at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, spoke to HT Lifestyle about the symptoms patients commonly overlook before receiving a hypertension diagnosis. His warning comes amid growing concern that delayed detection is allowing the condition to progress silently to dangerous levels.

Symptoms mistaken for everyday stress

Dr Murtaza explained that the condition's slow and quiet progression is central to why so many cases go undiagnosed. "One of the biggest reasons why people are not diagnosed early is that the symptoms are not obvious in the early stages of the condition, and it develops slowly and quietly," he said.

As a result, many individuals attribute their physical discomfort to the pressures of a busy life rather than an underlying medical issue. Common warning signs that tend to be brushed aside include frequent headaches, dizziness, easy fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the head, blurred vision, irritability, poor sleep and shortness of breath when walking.

Dr Murtaza noted that it is common for people to rationalise these symptoms, saying things such as "I'm just stressed," "I didn't get a good night's sleep," or "It's due to work pressure." Because the symptoms are mild and non-specific, many individuals delay seeking medical attention — only to discover, when their blood pressure is eventually checked, that their readings are significantly elevated.

Why hypertension is called a silent killer

Hypertension has long been described as a silent killer, and Dr Murtaza's warning underscores why the label endures. In its early stages, the condition can cause minimal or no noticeable symptoms, even as it quietly inflicts damage on the body's vital organs.

Left unmanaged, high blood pressure can harm the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes, and significantly raise the risk of serious, life-altering complications. The fact that many people can carry very high blood pressure readings without experiencing any obvious discomfort is precisely what makes the condition so dangerous — and why routine monitoring is considered essential even for those who feel perfectly well.

What to do

Dr Murtaza recommends making regular blood pressure checks a consistent health habit, describing them as a simple but critical tool for early detection. The advice is particularly important for anyone over the age of 30, or for those with a family history of hypertension, diabetes, chronic stress, obesity or smoking.

Early diagnosis and appropriate management can substantially reduce the risk of long-term damage. Paying close attention to the body's signals — and resisting the urge to dismiss persistent symptoms as mere tiredness — can make a meaningful difference to long-term health outcomes.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor regarding any medical condition.