What to do with high blood pressure and severe headaches?

One of the most common symptoms is headache due to hypertension. It causes discomfort to a person and reduces the quality of his life. The patient cannot concentrate either on rest or on work, and tries to get rid of unpleasant sensations by taking painkillers, without even thinking that such a reaction of the body should not be considered as a separate problem. First of all, you need to treat hypertension.

Features of headaches in hypertension

Hypertension is a disease in which blood pressure rises and goes beyond 140/90 mmHg. During the increase, the walls of blood vessels lose their elasticity and cannot adapt to the movement of blood flow. This effect provokes spasms of the walls. Signals from the vessels are transmitted to the brain and manifest as cephalalgia.

Causes of high blood pressure leading to acute headaches:

• Lack of sleep;
• Constant stress;
• Bad habits: alcohol, tobacco products, drugs;
• Abuse of fatty foods leading to obesity;
• Lack of physical activity.

Also, an increase in blood pressure may indicate the presence of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, poisoning or intoxication. It is important to identify the cause of high blood pressure as early as possible.

Helpful information

Headache with high blood pressure occurs gradually and is felt in the form of pulsation. Can persist for several hours or days.

Cephalgia intensifies when turning and tilting the head. Accompanied by heaviness in the eyes, nausea and dizziness. If the patient complains of pain in the heart, his pulse quickens, and his face turns red, then he urgently needs to call a doctor at home.

The intensity of cephalalgia determines how much headaches occur with high blood pressure. With mild cephalalgia, the pain spreads throughout the entire head area. When it gets worse, the pain in the forehead, the back of the head, and also the temples hurts. In a person suffering from hypertension, during the day the pain can spread over the entire area of ​​the head, and by the evening it can be localized to one point.

Drug therapy

The list of modern over-the-counter medications used to relieve headaches includes several hundred items. Their pharmacological action is characterized by great variability and diversity. If migraine attacks occur relatively rarely (once or twice a month) and are of an unexpressed nature, taking a regular analgesic is usually sufficient to relieve them. Otherwise, specific treatment may be required aimed at eliminating the underlying causes of pain.

If you have frequent headaches, it is dangerous to self-medicate, because instead of relief, you can worsen the situation, with irreversible consequences. Therefore, a timely visit to the doctor is the key to correct and effective treatment using preventive medications. All medications used to relieve headaches accompanied by high blood pressure are divided into several pharmacological groups.

Sedative medications

The principle of action of mild sedative drugs is to inhibit the activity of the central nervous system, reduce excitability and block the production of adrenaline, which stimulates an increase in heart rate. Due to the decrease in blood pressure, it relieves headaches. The most famous representatives of tablets for headaches with sedative action for high blood pressure:

• "Corvaltab";
• "Corvalcaps";
• "Corvalment";
• "Valdispert".

Analgesics

Potent painkillers are used to relieve headaches with high blood pressure in especially severe cases. Analgesic therapy when using the classical regimen for the treatment of headache attacks is often ineffective for hypertensive patients. In addition to painkillers, this regimen usually involves diuretics (Furosemide, Hydrosaluretil, Lasix), beta blockers (Bidol, Egilok, Metoprolol, Anaprilin), calcium channel blockers ( "Cordipin", "Verapamil"), ACE inhibitors ("Ramkor", "Veroshpiron"), the effect of which is not immediate.

To quickly relieve (it should be understood that we are not talking about treatment here) headaches associated with high blood pressure, potent analgesics are used:

• "Has";
• classic "Analgin";
• "Pentalgin";
• ageless "Paracetamol";
• "Baralgin";
• "Spazgan";
• "Combispasm."

Ketanov is highly effective, but it is prescribed in the absence of a number of characteristic contraindications.

Antispasmodics

The action of medications from the antispasmodic group is based on relieving spasms of blood vessels, which cause severe migraines. Medicines in this group are divided into:

1. neurotropic (“Scopolamine”, “Phentolamine”);
2. myotropic (“Drotaverine”, “Halidor”, “Dibazol”, “Bendazol”, “Papaverine”, “No-shpa”).

Antispasmodics are quite popular medications for headaches with high blood pressure, having both general and targeted effects, especially for the myotropic variety.

NSAIDs

A group of steroid-free anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve headaches due to hypertension only as fast-acting analgesics - they do not eliminate the cause of migraines. Despite their high effectiveness, they have a number of serious contraindications, including grade 3 hypertension and severe heart failure. Long-term use of this group of tablets is not recommended; older people should take them with caution.

Representatives of the NSAID group:

• "Aspirin";
• "Nurofen";
• "Ibuprom";
• "Diclofenac";
• "Andipal".

Tranquilizers

One of the most effective means used to relieve intense pain accompanied by increased blood pressure. Due to the large number of contraindications and undesirable effects (pregnancy and lactation, renal and liver failure, systemic brain dysfunction), medications in this group can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Such tablets for headaches with high blood pressure, in addition to the analgesic effect, have a hypotensive effect, eliminate discomfort and soothe. The most famous representatives of tranquilizers:

• "Phenazepam";
• "Xanax";
• "Zolomax";
• "Diazepam";
• "Helex";
• "Nozepam";
• "Valium."

Antidepressants

This group of drugs is prescribed in cases where conventional sedatives are ineffective. In addition to the analgesic effect, they have a calming effect, which is very useful for hypertensive patients, who are often in an irritated state due to incessant migraines. As with NSAIDs and tranquilizers, antidepressants are prescribed only by your doctor. They are usually taken at night, because, while eliminating pain and anxiety, such tablets contribute to the appearance of feelings of apathy, melancholy, and indifference to the environment.

Headache classification

Cephalgia occurs with hypertension from various factors. Doctors divide pain into 5 groups, which can be used to diagnose the disease.

Vascular

Vascular pain has a pressing, bursting character. It is accompanied by heaviness in the vessels, which fill with blood and expand, causing spasms of the walls. The pain is localized in the temples and the back of the head. Increases with head movement, coughing and sneezing.

Muscular

Occurs due to excessive stress, anxiety and a sedentary lifestyle. With these factors, overstrain of the muscles of the head and neck appears, which leads to impaired blood circulation in these areas. The brain receives less oxygen and nutrients. The patient notices increased sensitivity to light and smells, accompanied by irritability.

Helpful information

Muscle pain does not have a specific location. It flows from the forehead, presses on the temples and goes to the back of the head and neck.

Liquor

Pain appears due to the fact that the arteries and veins of the brain try to compensate for the increase in blood pressure. This process leads to irritation of the walls of blood vessels, causing cephalgia. The pain is sharp, throbbing, bursting in nature. Discomfort intensifies when changing body position, as a result of which the patient may lose consciousness.

Ischemic

This pain is characterized by pressure on the brain, followed by nausea and blurred vision. The cause of this type of cephalgia is spasms of the arteries in the skull. The patient often notices loss of orientation and deterioration of coordination.

Neuralgic

Pain occurs due to emotional disorders. Nervousness provokes an increase in blood pressure, which leads to cephalgia. Characterized by sharp, sharp tingling sensations in the front of the skull.

The mechanism of malaise with high blood pressure

Why does a headache begin to hurt when pressure shifts from normal? The vessels of a healthy person are able to change the diameter of the lumen under the force of blood pressure during movement. This allows the body to adapt to the influence of various unfavorable factors.

In case of loss of elasticity and firmness, vascular spasm develops and jumping pressure is recorded. Lack of oxygen and nutrients affects the functioning of all brain structures. Numerous symptoms develop, including headache.

The reason that the pressure has risen can be stress, violation of the rest and work schedule, bad habits, excess weight or insufficient nutrition, hypothermia, excessive physical activity. Diseases of internal organs are a common cause of hypertension or hypotension.

Each person can determine at what pressure his head starts to hurt. To do this, it is enough to keep a diary and indicate measurement indicators during headaches. It is also important to indicate the reasons that led to this condition.

Only a doctor can tell you what medications you can take for high and low blood pressure. Taking into account the nature of the pain, he will select medications and prescribe the optimal dosage and duration of treatment.

For headaches due to arterial hypertension, you should not take medications that increase your blood pressure. For example, you should not drink “Citramon” for pain and increased blood pressure. It contains caffeine, which further increases blood pressure on the vessels.

First aid, what pills can I take?

With a sharp increase in blood pressure and severe headache, a person needs to quickly reduce the pressure to avoid a hypertensive crisis. If normal levels increase, you need to call an ambulance. It is important to provide the room with a constant flow of fresh air. You can massage your neck and temples for 10 minutes. Also, to relieve headaches, use a cold compress with apple cider vinegar (1-2 tbsp.). The compress should be applied to the temples and feet for 10 minutes.

Depending on the causes of hypertension, different medications are taken. Before taking pills, it is better to consult a doctor who will identify the cause of high blood pressure. To normalize blood circulation and relieve spasms from the walls of blood vessels, you can take the following drugs: No-Shpa, Aspirin, Pentalgin.

Types of pain syndrome

At different stages of hypertension, pain changes in character and intensity. How does pain in the head appear when pressure levels increase:

• Initially, the pain is periodic and episodic in nature and can be easily dealt with by doing acupressure, applying a compress or drinking soothing herbs.
• In advanced cases, the pain becomes severe and does not go away for a long time. Nausea, dizziness, impaired coordination of movements and attention are added.

Timely consultation with a doctor and diagnostic examination allows you to identify the true cause of health problems. Attacks of hypertension can be completely stopped or stable remission achieved.

For mild hypertension

The first and second degrees of hypertension are characterized by an increase in pressure to 140-150/100 mm Hg. Art. The condition is accompanied by periodic pain in the head and neck, chest, dizziness, breathing problems, and increased heart rate.

For severe hypertension

Pressure in severe hypertension exceeds 180/110 mmHg. Art. The patient has a very bad headache, sweating increases, limbs swell, nausea and vomiting bother him, and coordination of movements is impaired.

What is forbidden to do if you have high blood pressure and headaches?

If you have a severe headache and high blood pressure, you need to calm the patient down, give him a glass of water and ensure constant ventilation of the room. Absolutely forbidden:

• Take a bath or shower with hot water;
• Being in a bathhouse;
• Use alcohol, drugs or cigarettes;
• Drink strong tea or coffee;
• Worry.

Cephalgia comes on gradually and also disappears. You cannot hope that the pain will go away in a few seconds. To relieve discomfort, it is undesirable to take the first medications you come across, as they can lead to collapse or shock.

Preventing headaches

To prevent headaches and increased levels of upper and lower pressure, you must follow the preventive rules:

• It is imperative to lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Eat right (exclude salty, fatty, spicy, fried foods), avoid excess body weight.
• Treat infectious and inflammatory diseases in a timely manner, preventing transition to the chronic stage.
• Avoid overwork.
• It is advisable to eliminate bad habits.
• Moderate physical activity will keep blood vessels toned.

Activities that enhance immunity play an important role. Hardening the body, doing gymnastics, and taking vitamins will allow the body to resist the effects of adverse factors.

When do you need to urgently call a doctor?

Many people prefer to overcome pain on their own, without the help of doctors. However, in some cases it is strictly prohibited to delay calling an ambulance:

1. Sharp pain inside the skull.
2. Nausea accompanied by pain in the eyes.
3. Loss of coordination.
4. Brain fog and dizziness.
5. Regular pain syndromes.

If these symptoms are ignored, there is a possibility of cerebral hemorrhage, and subsequently, the development of a tumor. It is better to play it safe and call a doctor who will conduct an examination and identify the cause of cephalgia.

How does a headache hurt with low blood pressure?

One of the symptoms of hypotension is headache. With low blood pressure, headaches can be constant, sometimes ending in dizziness and fainting.

The nature of the pain can be paroxysmal, dull, aching, and may be accompanied by spasms. Discomfortable sensations usually occur immediately after waking up, after high physical exertion or heavy mental work.

Decreased blood pressure has the following symptoms:

• a feeling of heaviness in the frontal part or back of the head;
• localization in different parts of the head. It may hurt only in the temples or in the forehead area, then there is a feeling that the head seems to be burning inside;
• nausea, possible fainting.

With low blood pressure, a headache comes on unexpectedly, and its approach is complicated by the following side symptoms:

• causeless nervousness;
• irritability;
• spots before the eyes, making it difficult to see even nearby objects or text in a book;
• the skin alternately turns red and white;
• hard to bear any sounds.

Migraines can accompany both high and low blood pressure. With low blood pressure, a migraine lasts several hours and usually goes away after sleep.

Treatment

Only a doctor can prescribe this treatment. After a thorough diagnosis, he will identify the cause of high blood pressure and prescribe medication. Medicines for hypertension are divided into the following types:

• Selective beta blockers are medications that reduce the heart rate. They normalize blood circulation, therefore helping people with cardiovascular diseases (Tenoric, Atenolol).
• Antispasmodics - normalize blood circulation, relieving spasms from the walls of blood vessels (No-Shpa, Drotaverine, Papaverine).
• Analgesics - eliminate pain, but not the cause of cephalalgia (Analgin, Citramon).
• Tranquilizers - have a positive effect on the psychological health of the patient (Valium, Xanax).
• ACE inhibitors - dilate the walls of blood vessels, stabilizing the human condition. Used for prevention (Tarka, Renitek).
• Diuretics – have the ability to remove sodium and calcium in the urine. As a result of the removal of these components, blood pressure decreases and blood circulation is normalized (Lasix, Trifas).
• Sartans - help saturate tissues with oxygen (Valsartan, Candesartan).

Effective treatment

Since painful sensations in the head area are most likely caused by increased pressure, the pain syndrome can be eliminated by bringing the indicator back to normal. If after this the pain does not stop, you can take drugs from the analgesic group.

You can lower your blood pressure with the following medications:

• With drugs from the group of selective beta blockers (Bisoprolol, Nebivolol, Coriol, Tenorik, Metoprolol and others), they weaken heart contractions and reduce their frequency.
• Medicines belonging to the group of calcium channel blockers (Cordafen, Nifedipine, Felodipine, Corinfar, Amlodipine, etc.), they prevent the penetration of calcium ions into the channels of smooth muscle tissue of blood vessels, the drugs dilate blood vessels , help reduce the force and frequency of heart beats, and have virtually no side effects.
• A group of ACE inhibitors, they are able to dilate blood vessels and smoothly reduce blood pressure (Captopril, Renitek, Enam, Ampril, Enalapril, Fosinopril and others).
• Drugs from the nitrate group (“Sustak”, “Nitrong”, “Sustonit”, “Erinit”, “Kardiket” and others) sharply reduce blood pressure, dilate the veins, and relieve the load on the heart.
• Alpha-blockers, which allow you to relieve spasm in the arteries (Afronad, Ebrantil, Phentolamine).
• Drugs from the sartan group (“Valsartan”, “Eprosartan”, “Losartan”, “Telmisartan”, etc.) are used for cardiac ischemia, reduce blood pressure, but do not have an effect on the heart muscle.
• Diuretics, which remove fluid and sodium ions, reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure (Furosemide, Uregit, Lasix, Hypothiazide).
• A group of antispasmodic drugs (“No-shpa”, “Papaverine”, “Dibazol”, “Spazmalgon”, “Papazol”, “Halidor”, etc.) that block calcium. It is advisable to use them at the beginning of the development of arterial hypertension.

The drugs in the analgesic group include the following drugs: Paracetomol, Citramon, Combispasm, Acetylsalicylic acid, Ascopar.

Frequent headaches in the occipital or temporal part should be a signal to immediately consult a doctor; you cannot tolerate them and get carried away with painkillers. This does not eliminate the true cause of the disease, and the body may suffer from side effects. As a rule, with hypertension, painful sensations and “noise effects” in the head area are associated with increased pressure, so it must be constantly monitored. To eliminate a headache in this case, you first need to reduce the blood pressure on the walls of the blood vessels in the brain.

Folk remedies

Headaches due to high blood pressure can occur when a person does not have the necessary medications. Then traditional medicine comes to the rescue. The following remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition:

1. Herbal tea. 1 teaspoon of chamomile or mint should be poured into 300 ml of hot water. After the drink has cooled, add lemon to it and consume internally.
2. Valerian, motherwort or hawthorn. To reduce pressure, you need to take 30 drops of tincture per 50 ml of water. You can replace the solution with 1-2 tablets of the same drugs.
3. Clover tincture. This solution is boiled for 14 days, therefore, a patient suffering from frequent cephalalgia should prepare it in advance. A one-liter container is filled with clover and topped with 0.5 liters of vodka. The tincture is stored in a dark place for 14 days and then filtered. Use to reduce attacks 3 times a day before meals. It is important to drink the solution with a glass of water.

What to do

Differential diagnosis will help solve the question of what to do when there is high blood pressure and a very bad headache. She will determine what is causing the pain and suggest a way to eliminate it.

Diagnostics include:

• blood and urine tests;
• blood pressure and pulse control;
• electroencephalogram;
• ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck;
• X-ray of the cervical spine;
• electrocardiogram;
• fundus examination;
• MRI or CT scan of the brain.

The examination will help to identify existing changes in the functioning of organs, which will allow us to understand the cause of cephalalgia.

In some cases, urgent medical attention is required to improve the condition and get rid of headaches with high blood pressure.

Prevention

Daily prophylaxis for hypertensive cephalgia alleviates the patient’s condition, reducing the risk of a hypertensive crisis to a minimum. A person suffering from high blood pressure should adhere to the following lifestyle:

• Rejection of bad habits;
• Ventilation of the room;
• Full sleep, 8-9 hours long;
• Light sports (jogging, exercises with dumbbells);
• Include vegetables and fruits in your diet;
• Avoid fatty, sweet, fried, smoked and salty foods;
• Do not drink coffee or strong tea.

A person should also avoid stuffy rooms, baths and saunas. The patient should not experience stress; it is recommended to spend time in the fresh air, read books and listen to soothing music. To get rid of nervous tension, you can sign up for group yoga classes. In addition, a person suffering from hypertension must constantly maintain the drug therapy prescribed by the doctor.

Headache with normal blood pressure

High or low blood pressure is not always accompanied by headaches. Uncomfortable sensations can cause suffering even under normal conditions.

The pain begins in the back of the head and moves to the top, or vice versa.

Attacks of headaches, with normal blood pressure, can intensify the following phenomena:

• blood flow problems;
• overwork, decreased vitality;
• after heavy physical exertion.

Regardless of what causes the headache, due to pressure changes, physical, mental fatigue, or illness, the phenomenon causes discomfort, can cause complications and interferes with normal life activities.

In the following chapters we will look at how to treat headaches that occur with hypertension, low blood pressure, and how blood pressure should be normalized. Let’s figure out which medications will improve your well-being, and how you can get rid of the problem using traditional health recipes.

Folk advice and prevention

People prone to high blood pressure should reduce their psychological stress. It is worth completely giving up smoking and alcohol. Going to a psychologist, auto-training and water aerobics classes are useful. It is advised to consume foods containing large amounts of magnesium and potassium.

Hypotonic patients are advised to adjust their sleep and rest time. It is important to reduce the physical and emotional stress at work. It will be useful to sign up for physical therapy sessions, swimming and skiing.

Hypertensive patients	Hypotonics
Decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs that lower blood pressure. Eat dill, herbs and raw vegetables daily. In case of hypertensive crisis, place mustard plasters in the area of ​​the kidneys and shoulders. Apple cider vinegar rubbed on your heels will help lower blood pressure.	Drink coffee, green tea with honey. Drink a course of lemongrass decoctions and radiola. Eat more foods containing vitamin C, B, B12.

It is important to understand that a headache cannot occur without a reason.
In case of repeated and intense attacks, it is worth undergoing an examination. Only by finding out the true reason can you count on a quick positive result. Author of the article Svetlana Anatolyevna Ivanova, general practitioner

Recommendations for taking medications

All medications must be prescribed by a doctor after examination! If there are no contraindications, then the drug for primary prevention of exacerbation of attacks is the calcium channel blocker Verapamil. For severe headache attacks, Prednisolone may be added to this drug.

Patient's condition	Recommended drugs
Headache with normal blood pressure	Paracetamol, Citramon, Pentalgin, Smazmalgon and any combined analgesics.
If your blood pressure is high or high	Combined analgesics that do not contain caffeine (Paracetamol), antispasmodics: noshpalgin, papazole, anaprilin, captopril, nifedipine.
Pain caused by tension, stress or chronic fatigue	Combined analgesics, in combination with over-the-counter tranquilizers - novopassit, persen, donormil, glycine, sonopax.
Headache due to anemia and severe fatigue	Iron preparations (sorbifer, fenuls, ferroplex), folic acid, B vitamins, tinctures of eleutherococcus, aralia, ginseng, meldonium.
At body temperature	Paracetamol and all its combinations, combined analgesics, antibiotics.
Migrainous character	triptans, analgesics containing caffeine and ergotamine, course of venotonics (troxevasin, detralex).
Intoxication of the body	Albendazole, sorbents, combined analgesics, vitamins.
Cerebrovascular accident and dizziness	Vinpocetine, Piracetam, Phezam, Cinnarizine, Pentoxifylline, Meldonium, Sermion, Actovegin.

If headaches and high blood pressure are associated with fatigue, stress, insomnia, doctors recommend herbal tranquilizers (novopassit, motherwort, valerian, persen) as well as glycine and over-the-counter tranquilizers.

For hypotensive patients, it will be useful to take courses of a multivitamin complex.

Hypertensive crisis

High blood pressure can cause many negative consequences. One of the most dangerous is a hypertensive crisis. It usually develops in patients with a long-term medical history. This occurs when treatment rules are violated, refusal to take medications, emotional shock, or exposure to unfavorable conditions. Vasospasm leads to a sharp rise in blood pressure to 200/110 mm. Hg Art. and higher, increased heart rate, development of ischemia of brain and heart tissue.

Clinical picture of hypertensive crisis:

• severe, excruciating, deafening pain in the head;
• weakness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• noise in ears;
• dizziness, loss of coordination;
• discomfort in the heart area;
• soreness in the eyes;
• lethargy turning into excitement;
• shortness of breath, tremor, cold sweat.

You should never tolerate a headache due to pressure - this can also cause a hypertensive crisis. Only a doctor can provide effective assistance to a patient in such a situation. Before his arrival, the patient must be placed in a semi-sitting position, blood pressure measured, and a sedative offered. If the pressure is very high, and Kopaten or Corinfar is available, you can put the medicine under the patient’s tongue. It is necessary to ensure that the victim does not close his eyes and drinks water if there is nausea.

You will learn about methods for eliminating cephalalgia due to hypotension here.