High blood pressure affects a quarter of people in the UK.
However, many people don’t realise they have it as the condition rarely has noticeable symptoms.
In some cases, though, there are certain signs which could indicate the condition.
One potential sign, according to Superdrug Online Doctor, is facial flushing.
Facial flushing is not uncommon, and is usually due to other factors unrelated to high blood pressure.
These can include simply being too hot, eating spicy food, or having a food or skin allergy.
Some people experience facial flushing when drinking alcohol, while many women experience it when going through the menopause.
While it is unlikely facial flushing is a symptom of high blood pressure, it is still possible.
Other potential signs you might have high blood pressure include headaches, dizzy spells, nosebleeds, nausea and palpitations.
Feeling pulsations on the neck or rushing blood in the ears, or seeing floaters or blood spots in your vision are also potential signs of high blood pressure.
However, as with facial flushing, all of these signs are more likely to be caused by something else.
“It is unlikely what you’re experiencing is symptoms of high blood pressure – you might be worried you have symptoms of high blood pressure,” said Superdrug Online Doctor.
“However, the truth is, that the vast majority of patients with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all.”
As symptoms are rare, the only real way to know if your blood pressure is high is to get it checked.
You can get your blood pressure checked at your GP and some pharmacies, and can also check it at home yourself with a blood pressure monitor.
In some cases, when blood pressure is extremely high, it can cause more obvious symptoms.
As well as headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds, they can include visual disturbances, chest pain and shortness of breath.
When blood pressure is severely high, it is known as malignant hypertension or a hypertensive crisis.
This should be regarded as a medical emergency as it could cause serious health problems.
“If you think you or someone else is having a blood pressure emergency, get medical help straight away by calling 999,” said Superdrug Online Doctor.
“There is not much you can do to lower blood pressure in this situation but try to keep yourself or the other person calm.”