A hypertension headache is a headache that happens because of high blood pressure (hypertension). Most of the time, high blood pressure doesn’t cause symptoms. But if it gets extremely high, you can get a headache or other symptoms. This type of headache is often a sign of a hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency.
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A hypertension headache is a headache that happens when your blood pressure becomes very high. People often describe it as a strong, throbbing pain on both sides of the head. This usually occurs when your blood pressure is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher. Below 120/80 mmHg is normal.
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A healthcare provider can measure your blood pressure to see if it’s too high. Measuring it is the only way to know what it is.
Hypertension usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s very high. The name for very high blood pressure with symptoms is a hypertensive emergency.
A hypertension headache may:
Along with a headache, you may also have other symptoms, like:
Hypertension headaches come from a sudden increase in blood pressure. Rarely, this may come from a rare tumor (pheochromocytoma) that releases excess adrenaline, preeclampsia during pregnancy or a rare brain condition.
More often, this kind of headache is from a hypertensive crisis, which can happen because of:
When blood pressure rises too quickly, the blood vessels in your brain may have trouble adjusting. This can lead to irritation and swelling, which may cause a severe headache.
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To relieve a headache from hypertension, you need to bring your blood pressure down. Your healthcare provider will lower it gradually. They do this to protect your brain, heart and kidneys and make sure your organs are getting enough blood.
Providers use IV medicines in a hospital to lower blood pressure. Examples include labetalol, nicardipine and nitroglycerin.
A hypertension headache (with extremely high blood pressure over 180/120 mmHg) is a sign of a hypertensive emergency. That means you’re at risk of having damage to your brain, kidneys, heart, retinas or blood vessels. The headache doesn’t cause complications. But the hypertensive emergency that caused the headache can lead to:
You can prevent hypertension headaches by managing your blood pressure. Measuring your blood pressure regularly at home can make you aware if your numbers are rising.
Unless high blood pressure is severe, you won’t feel symptoms. If you know your numbers are too high, your healthcare provider can suggest treatments. That way, you can avoid reaching a point where you’d start to have a headache or other symptoms.
You can also help manage your blood pressure by making changes to your daily habits. These include:
Call 911 (or your local emergency service number) or go to the emergency room if you have a headache with:
These are all common in people having a hypertensive emergency.
Most headaches aren’t from high blood pressure. But having symptoms like a headache from hypertension can be a scary experience. Knowing your blood pressure reading is too high only adds to your anxiety.
Treatment focuses on safely lowering blood pressure rather than just relieving the headache. Your symptoms should go away once a healthcare provider gets your numbers down. Various medicines are available to get your numbers back where they should be and provide relief.
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Last reviewed on 11/24/2025.
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