Can high blood pressure cause headaches?

Yes—high blood pressure can cause headaches, but usually only when it is extremely high. Headaches typically occur during a hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy, when blood pressure is rapidly damaging organs or causing fluid to leak into the brain, which requires emergency medical treatment.

Want to dig deeper?  Read our full analysis: Hypertension symptoms: What are the early signs of hypertension?

Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your cardiologist or healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

Sources

• Hypertensive encephalopath, NIH National Library of Medicine (2024)

• Hypertensive emergency, NIH National Library of Medicine (2023)