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Very High Blood Pressure Without Symptoms
Author: Dr. Vrolijk | Updated: August 23, 2025 | Disclaimer | Review Process | References
A very high blood pressure reading can be scary or confusing when you feel okay. Usually you can feel when something is wrong, so it makes sense to think you’d feel high blood pressure. But most of the time, you can’t tell your blood pressure is high. If you do have concerning symptoms, get help right away. You can learn more about when high blood pressure is an emergency here.
If you feel okay and don’t have any health problems that raise your risk, it’s still important to get medical care. Your medical team can help by checking that everything is okay and lowering your blood pressure safely.
This page walks you through why this can happen, when to worry, and what you can do.
What Doctors Call This
Your doctor might use the term severe asymptomatic hypertension. Here’s what each part means:
Is This an Emergency?
Very high blood pressure is usually not an emergency as long as you feel okay. Some people will have a mild headache, but it should feel like other headaches you’ve had in the past. If the headache is really painful, feels different than usual, or you have any other concerning symptoms, get emergency help.
Important: If your doctor has given you specific instructions for when your blood pressure is very high, follow those instructions.
If You Are Pregnant
Blood pressure over 140/90 needs attention during pregnancy. Very high blood pressure (over 160/110) needs urgent attention.
What You Can Do
Even though this usually isn’t an emergency, it’s important to contact your medical team.
Very high blood pressure puts stress on your body. Over time it can hurt parts of your body like your kidneys without you feeling it.
Your medical team can check that everything is okay. They may take blood tests, ask you about how you feel, and do a physical exam. They can also help you make a plan to bring your blood pressure down.
→ Read about why we don’t usually lower blood pressure quickly
Tip: As long as you feel fine, rest for 30 minutes and then take your blood pressure again.
Getting Medical Care
I know who to call
If you have a doctor or medical team, give them a call. Tell them your blood pressure readings and how you feel. You can ask a nurse to call you back. The nurse can help you figure out what to do next.
I don't have a doctor or medical team
You have options for where to get affordable care.
- Find a free clinic near you
- Find a community health center – Provides affordable, patient-centered primary care
- Search for your city or zip code and “community clinic”
Native American? Find a tribally run health clinic
If you need help sooner
Go to your nearest emergency room. They will remeasure your blood pressure. If it’s still high, you’ll get medicine to lower it. They’ll also make sure you don’t have any problems caused by the high blood pressure.
Some urgent care clinics can take care of very high blood pressure, but not all of them. You can call ahead to ask.
If You Take Blood Pressure Medicine
Keep taking your medicine as prescribed. Don’t take an extra dose. Call your doctor or talk to the pharmacist if you had a gap in taking your medicine. They can help you get back on track.
Having trouble paying for your medicine?
There are programs that can help:
Related Articles
When Is a Blood Pressure Emergency?
Find out which blood pressure symptoms need emergency care and what you can do.
Emergency Room Guide
Learn what to expect, ways to speak up for yourself, and how to leave the ER with the information you need.
How Anxiety Affects Blood Pressure Readings
Learn how worry about blood pressure can affect your readings and get tips on how to deal with it.
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Resources We Used
2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines | JACC. Accessed July 11, 2025.
Elliot W, Varon J. Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertensive Emergencies in Adults. UpToDate. Published online June 25, 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025.
Varon J, Elliot W. Management of severe asymptomatic hypertension (hypertensive urgencies) in adults. UpToDate. Published online October 18, 2023. Accessed July 11, 2025.
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