Can High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches?
Medically reviewed by Andre Stone | MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on August 25th, 2026.
High blood pressure usually does not cause headaches, but a headache can occur when blood pressure becomes severely elevated. Most individuals with elevated blood pressure experience no symptoms, which is why it's called the "silent killer." A blood pressure reading higher than 180/120 mmHg is considered severely elevated. Whether it is a hypertensive emergency depends on whether there are signs of new or worsening organ damage. A severe headache may occur with symptoms such as vision changes, dizziness, nausea, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or difficulty speaking. However, tension headaches and migraines are far more common causes of head pain than hypertension. If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mmHg and you have a severe headache or symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, weakness, difficulty speaking, or vision changes, call emergency services. If the reading remains this high without these symptoms, contact a healthcare professional promptly for guidance.
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