Unexpected Signs of Hypertension: That "Morning Headache" and "Lack of Sleep"... Are You Overlooking the Signs of High Blood Pressure?

"Vague Discomfort" Requires Attention: Hypertension Progresses "Silently"

Feeling easily fatigued. Feeling dizzy. Heavy head in the morning. Occasional nosebleeds. Shortness of breath when climbing stairs—.
Such discomforts are often attributed to lack of sleep, stress, or seasonal changes. However, behind these "common discomforts," hypertension (high blood pressure) may be lurking.

What makes hypertension frightening is that it progresses without clear or noticeable symptoms. Even if the person feels "healthy," the blood vessels are continuously strained, leading to arteriosclerosis, which can result in serious issues such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and kidney dysfunction. This is why hypertension is also known as the "silent killer."

Globally, hypertension is a significant issue, and the WHO repeatedly warns that inadequate control of hypertension leads to numerous health problems. Conversely, it is a condition where "early detection and proper management can reduce future major incidents."

"Symptoms May Appear" But Are Not Decisive, Which Is the Pitfall

While hypertension is often asymptomatic, the following "nonspecific (can occur with any illness)" symptoms may appear.

• Lethargy/Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Strong Drowsiness/Fatigue

• Headache

• Nosebleed

• Nervousness/Restlessness

• Tinnitus (a sensation of sound in the ear)

• Shortness of Breath (breathlessness when moving)

The important thing is that these are "not symptoms that occur only with hypertension." They can be explained by shoulder stiffness, anemia, dehydration, sleep quality, atmospheric pressure, stress, menopause, etc., making it easy for both the individual and those around them to "wait and see."

Furthermore, as hypertension persists over time, it begins to affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, etc., making symptoms more specific. For example, vision difficulties related to changes in the blood vessels of the eyes, swelling due to decreased kidney function, and shortness of breath or easy fatigue resulting from accumulated strain on the heart.

In other words, "when symptoms appear, it is possible that the 'complication side' is already starting to signal."

The Blind Spot is "Night": Nocturnal Hypertension is Hard to Notice

Another pitfall is the type of hypertension where blood pressure rises "only at night." Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day and usually decreases at night. However, some people experience an increase in blood pressure at night or fail to decrease when it should.

A common background for this nocturnal hypertension is sleep apnea (a condition where breathing stops or becomes shallow during sleep). Each time breathing stops, the body experiences a strong stress response, making blood pressure more likely to rise. Additionally, people who tend to retain fluids in their bodies due to heart failure or decreased kidney function may experience changes in blood volume that affect blood pressure, leading to nighttime increases.

Nocturnal hypertension may not be detected during daytime health checkups. Therefore, if the following "sleep-related signs" persist, it is worthwhile to consider "blood pressure" as a perspective.

• Frequent awakenings, inability to sleep soundly

• Waking up at night with palpitations

• Increased night sweats

• Strong daytime drowsiness

• Headache or heaviness upon waking

While not decisive, if "nighttime discomfort + morning discomfort" continues as a set, it is a sign not to be overlooked.

Not Just Age: "Accumulation of Lifestyle Habits" Can Occur in Children Too

Although hypertension is strongly perceived as an "elderly disease," it can occur at any age. The article also mentions that children and young people can develop hypertension due to underlying conditions, medication effects, dietary habits, and lifestyle imbalances.

Factors that increase risk are common regardless of age.

• Weight Gain/Obesity

• Lack of Exercise

• Dietary Habits (high in salt, low in vegetables, high in processed foods, etc.)

• Stress

There are also gender differences. While younger women tend to have less hypertension, the situation changes as life stages progress, and the gender gap narrows, especially after menopause.

Instead of assuming "I'm young, so I'm fine" or "I'm a woman, so I'm fine," reviewing blood pressure at milestones—this may seem roundabout, but it is the shortest path to prevention.

The Shortest Route to Early Detection is "Measuring at Home": The Key is "Continuing" and "Comparing"

In diagnosing and managing hypertension, it is important not to draw conclusions from "a single measurement." Blood pressure rises due to tension, lack of sleep, caffeine, pain, stress, etc. Therefore, multiple measurements are taken to see if "the high state persists."

The following standards are often used as guidelines.

• At a medical institution 140/90 mmHg or higher persists → Hypertension guideline

• Home measurement 135/85 mmHg or higher persists → Hypertension guideline (slightly lower than at the hospital)

The home blood pressure standard is lower because it is easier to get high readings at the hospital due to tension (so-called white coat effect). Conversely, there is also "masked hypertension," where readings are normal at the hospital but high at home, which becomes harder to detect when combined with nocturnal hypertension.

And surprisingly important is "how to measure." On social media, there are many discussions about "the numbers fluctuating despite measuring" and "the importance of measurement posture and timing," highlighting that home blood pressure gains value when "continued under correct conditions."

Rather than tackling difficult tasks all at once, start by measuring and recording at fixed times, such as in the morning (after waking) or at night (before bed), under the same conditions. This is the most practical and effective step.

The Motto is "30-50-80": Know, Adjust, Protect

As introduced in the article, the German hypertension-related organization proposes the "30-50-80" goal. In brief,

• At 30: "Know" your blood pressure

• At 50: "Adjust" your blood pressure well

• At 80: "Protect" yourself from complications

This concept suggests that hypertension is a disease that can be "noticed" in daily life. Conversely, it is also a disease that can progress unnoticed despite being noticeable. Therefore, instead of using age as an excuse, use age as a trigger to review blood pressure as a habit—this sequence is effective.

Social Media Reactions: "Measure First" and "Measure Correctly" Are Spreading More Than Fear

The themes of this article (ambiguous symptoms / hard to detect at night / therefore, the habit of "measuring" is important) resonate easily on social media. Looking at actual posts, reactions generally fall into the following patterns.

1) "Silent Killer" Strikes a Chord: Fear Leads to Action
There are many warnings like "It's scary because it progresses without symptoms" and "Don't leave it unattended," with the strength of the words serving as a "trigger."

2) "Measure at Home First" Is a Consensus
In the context of emergency and health promotion, posts encouraging the habit of measuring at home are prominent. The flow is "You can't tell from hospital numbers alone" and "Record and consult a doctor."

3) "How to Measure is Important": Many Discussions on Posture and Timing
On Instagram, there are many posts explaining the posture and timing for measuring home blood pressure through diagrams and short videos, making it easy to spread as practical information.

4) The Reality of Personal Experiences: Discussions Arise Between "Those with Symptoms/Those Without"
On overseas forums, there are discussions like "I can tell when it's high" and "No, I couldn't tell at all," highlighting the individual differences in symptoms. The common conclusion is "Measurement is important because there are people who can't tell."

Social media is a mix of good and bad, but it also reflects "where people stumble" and "what words can motivate them." It's most important not to end with fear but to connect to the next step (measuring, recording, consulting).

Reference URLs

1. Abendblatt Original Article (Published on 2026/01/17): Points about non-specific symptoms that are easy to overlook, nocturnal hypertension (such as sleep apnea), risk factors, standard values (140/90 in the clinic, 135/85 at home), and the introduction of the 30-50-80 rule.
   　https://www.abendblatt.de/ratgeber-wissen/article410918628/bluthochdruck-symptome-hypertonie-anzeichen.html

2. Deutsche Hochdruckliga (Press Release): Explanation of the target values in the clinic and home blood pressure (135/85) with a "5mmHg difference," emphasizing the importance of home measurement.
   　https://www.hochdruckliga.de/pressemitteilung/nvl-pm-20230705-1

3. Ärzteblatt (Report): Explanation of the 30-50-80 rule (understanding at 30, good management at 50, prevention of complications at 80).
   　https://www.aerzteblatt.de/news/us-leitlinien-bestaetigen-30-50-80-regel-der-deutschen-hochdruckliga-4cec3b9e-97ef-48cc-979e-7cd70a8c54e0

4. WHO (News Release/Report Overview): Overview of the global impact of hypertension and the potential for prevention through lifestyle and treatment.
   　https://www.who.int/news/item/19-09-2023-first-who-report-details-devastating-impact-of-hypertension-and-ways-to-stop-it
   　https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081062

5. Example of SNS Reactions (X): Posts warning about hypertension as a "silent killer," promoting the habit of measuring at home and consulting a doctor.
   　https://x.com/protect_hearts
   　https://x.com/Smart119_jp/status/1772564148343239036

6. Example of SNS Reactions (Instagram): Posts promoting the "measurement posture and timing" of home blood pressure.
   　https://www.instagram.com/p/DTbaQ_ojcqx/
   　https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOXzMrVDmr7/

7. Example of SNS Reactions (Reddit): A thread discussing the individual differences in symptoms (those who feel it/those who