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Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Headaches

By Jennifer Nadel, MD

Medically reviewed

November 15, 2022

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:

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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
Nosebleeds
Ringing in the ears
Vision changes
Fatigue
Confusion
Chest pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Anxiety
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
Quit smoking
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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Frequently Asked Questions

What can a hypertension headache feel like?

Headaches triggered by high blood pressure typically cause a pulsing sensation that’s felt all over the head rather than on just one side. If your headache is severe, happens suddenly, or is accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, get immediate medical attention. It could be a sign of a hypertensive crisis or another medical emergency.

Can low blood pressure cause headaches?

Low blood pressure (or hypotension) does not typically cause headaches, but it can. Other symptoms of low blood pressure include lightheadedness, fatigue, or no symptoms at all. There are also headaches known as low-pressure headaches, but this refers to decreased spinal fluid pressure and is not related to blood pressure.

What is the best way to get rid of a headache fast?

Many things may work quickly to resolve a headache: Lie down in a darker room, ease the pressure on your head by removing hair ties or clips, drink some water (since dehydration can sometimes cause head pain), consume a bit of caffeine, or take an OTC pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). If your headache is persistent or becomes more severe, or if you have associated symptoms like vision changes, neck pain, fever, dizziness, vomiting, or if you pass out, see a doctor right away.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

Jennifer Nadel, MD

Dr. Jennifer Nadel is a board certified emergency medicine physician and received her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. She has worked in varied practice environments, including academic urban level-one trauma centers, community hospital emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, telemedicine, EMS medical control, and flight medicine.

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