Because they can be so common, it can be hard to pin down the exact cause of a headache. Was it something you ate, stress from work, too little sleep, a medical condition you don’t know you have, or something else altogether?
While we can’t get into everything here, this article will focus on high blood pressure (hypertension) and headaches. There is a connection between the two, but it likely isn’t what you think.
First I’ll explain what hypertension is. Then I’ll discuss if high blood pressure can cause headaches, as well as treatments for headaches and when to see a doctor about head pain.
Can High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches?
Most of the time, high blood pressure does not cause symptoms.
The only case where hypertension appears to cause a headache is with a hypertensive crisis. This occurs when blood pressure soars to 180/120 mm Hg or higher and is associated with symptoms of end organ damage. Asymptomatic hypertension (high blood pressure without any symptoms). is not a medical emergency. If you experience asymptomatic high blood pressure contact your doctor for an appointment.
Hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency, as it can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, memory loss, and other severe complications. If your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or higher, wait five minutes and take your blood pressure reading again.
If your blood pressure is still elevated but you don’t have any other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. However, if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or higher and you experience any of the below symptoms, seek emergency care immediately:
Seizures
Unresponsiveness
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What Does a Hypertensive Headache Feel Like?
Headache happens in 20% of hypertensive urgency (serious high blood pressure with no signs or symptoms of end-organ damage) cases. Hypertensive headache feels like:
Headache on both sides of your head
Throbbing headache
Headache that happens when you do physically active
Other Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Most times, high blood pressure happens without any symptoms. But when it comes with symptoms, a person may experience:
Early morning headaches
Irregular heartbeat
Ringing in the ears
Vision changes
Fatigue
Confusion
Chest pain
Vomiting
Muscle tremors
Treatments for Headaches
There are many ways to treat headaches, from over-the-counter (OTC) medications to lifestyle changes to alternative therapies. While the below are safe for an otherwise healthy person, it’s important not to self-diagnose the cause of frequent or chronic head pain.
A doctor can evaluate your symptoms, health history, and other factors to properly diagnose any underlying cause of your headaches and work with you to create a treatment plan.
Medication
Two main types of medications may help alleviate different headaches:
OTC pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) may be used for headaches and mild migraines. But these should not be taken daily for long periods of time, as some can lead to problems like ulcers or other gastrointestinal complications and rebound headaches.
Beta-blocker drugs: For recurring migraines, doctors may prescribe blood pressure medication such as propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran). These can reduce the feelings of pressure in the head.
Reduce stress
Stress may play a role in both headaches and migraines in adults.
While stress is an everyday part of life, finding ways to manage stress can help. Consider the following:
Therapy: Some evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help alleviate symptoms of headache or migraine. CBT teaches how to identify and challenge inaccurate thoughts, which may help manage stress.
Relaxation techniques: Meditation appears promising for tension headaches and migraines, while aromatherapy with lavender essential oil may help reduce the severity of migraines. Both of these practices also help alleviate stress.
Yoga: For many individuals, this mind-body practice leads to lower stress levels. And some evidence suggests that yoga also decreases tension headache frequency, duration, and intensity.
Less caffeine
Although some caffeine is all right and may even have positive effects on headaches, too much caffeine may trigger migraines or headaches in some people. At the same time, caffeine withdrawal—which happens when you suddenly cut back or completely give up caffeine—may also cause head pain.
If you have frequent headaches, consider how much caffeine you consume on a daily basis from beverages like coffee, soda, and tea. If you suspect caffeine may be contributing to your headaches, gradually reduce your intake.
Other treatments
Other treatments for headaches include:
Avoid or reduce alcohol intake
Get regular physical activity
As a bonus, these things may also help manage high blood pressure.
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When to See a Doctor
If you have frequent, persistent, or worsening headaches or migraines, speak with your doctor.
An occasional headache could be blamed on tiredness, stress, or hunger, but frequent headaches may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Your doctor will ask how and where you feel headache pain—whether it’s on one side of your head, both, or all around.
They may also ask what time of day you typically get them, if there’s anything that seems to help, and if you have associated symptoms such as dizziness or blurry vision. Communicating all these details to your healthcare provider will help ensure that you receive an effective treatment plan.
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