It sounds like you may have experienced a hypertensive crisis, which is a sudden severe increase in blood pressure that can be dangerous if not treated. Some possible causes for your symptoms include:
⢠Severe hypertension: If your blood pressure spiked suddenly to a very high level, like 180/120 or higher, it could cause symptoms like headache, fatigue, joint pain, and cold extremities. This requires immediate treatment to lower your blood pressure.
⢠Stress and anxiety: Feeling very stressed or anxious can cause a temporary blood pressure increase, leading to your symptoms. Managing stress levels is important to prevent severe spikes.
⢠Underlying condition: Conditions like
kidney disease, adrenal gland tumors, or
thyroid disease can sometimes trigger a hypertensive crisis. Additional testing may be needed to check for these.
⢠Medication side effect: Certain over-the-counter medications or supplements could trigger a rise in blood pressure. It's best to check with your doctor about any medications you're on.
Some things you can do to prevent another hypertensive crisis:
⢠Visit a hospital for a blood pressure check and any needed tests. You may need to start or adjust blood pressure medications to better control your hypertension.
⢠Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to lower stress and anxiety. Reducing stress will help stabilize your blood pressure.
⢠Limit alcohol, salt, and stimulants like caffeine which can exacerbate high blood pressure. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
⢠Monitor your blood pressure at home, especially if you experience symptoms like headache or dizziness. See your doctor right away if your BP reaches 180/120 or higher.
⢠Call ambulance immediately if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, or vision changes along with high blood pressure. This could indicate a hypertensive emergency and requires emergency care.
The most important steps are getting your blood pressure checked, making lifestyle changes to lower your risk, and monitoring your blood pressure closely especially if you have symptoms. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I wish you the best of health!