High blood pressure affects more than 25 per cent of all adults in the UK. The condition, which is also known as hypertension, puts added stress on blood vessels and vital organs. The condition is often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ as the only way for a person to diagnose the condition is to get their blood pressure checked. However, if a person has extremely high blood pressure, experiencing this sensation in your face is common and should never be ignored.
Experiencing numbness or a weakness in the face could mean blood pressure levels are progressively getting worse.
Numbness refers to the loss of sensation in any part of the body. Numbness on the face is not a condition, but usually a symptom of something else.
Most causes of facial numbness are related to compression of the nerves or nerve damage.
Having your face feels numb once in a while isn’t unusual, although it can feel strange and is often alarming to most.
The sensation could spread to the hands or feet and you should speak to a GP straight away if you ever feel numbness in the face.
A weak or numb face could be an early warning sign of a daly hypertensive crisis. A hypertensive crisis is where the blood pressure rises to dangerously high levels, and it can be life-threatening.
Any blood pressure above 180/120mmHg could permanently damage the blood vessels, and may subsequently start leaking fluid.
A doctor will be able to tell you what the cause of the numbness is based on your symptoms
Doctor Daniel Murrell
A person can be at risk of a hypertensive crisis if they start coughing up blood, or if they develop numbness or tingling in their hands.
If a person has already been diagnosed with high blood pressure and start to develop these signs and symptoms, it is strongly advised to speak with your GP immediately.
Doctor Daniel Murrell said: “Numbness, tingling, or loss of control over facial muscles may come with other symptoms such as severe headache, difficulty speaking or swallowing or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
“A doctor will be able to tell you what the cause of the numbness is based on your symptoms.”
Other signs of high blood pressure can include headaches, excessive sweating or dizziness.
Checking your blood pressure is the best way to know what levels you are at and whether you may be at risk of developing hypertension.
All UK adults over 40 years old should check their blood pressure at least every five years. Speak to a GP or pharmacist to have your blood pressure checked.
You could lower your risk of high blood pressure by making some diet and lifestyle changes.
Cutting back on salt in your diet is one of the best ways to avoid high blood pressure.
It’s recommended that one should aim to eat less than 6g of salt in a single day which is equivalent to about a teaspoonful.
Source: Read Full Article