High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls remains too high for an extended period. Often referred to as the “silent killer,” it can go undetected for years while quietly damaging critical organs like the heart, kidneys, eyes and brain. Typical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath, can often be the first sign for many that something is amiss. However, unusual symptoms, such as “hot ears,” may also be a warning sign.
Especially in the Black community, high blood pressure (HBP) is prevalent. Studies show that adults often develop hypertension at younger ages than their cohorts and can face more severe health consequences because it is poorly managed. Understanding HBP, its causes and key symptoms (or unusual ones like hot ears) to watch for is critical for taking a proactive stance on health.
Overview
The Mayo Clinic notes that hot ears can seem like an unlikely HBP symptom, and that’s because they’re not a formal diagnostic benchmark for the disease. However, they could be an indicator. Specifically, ears that feel warm or look red can be a sign that blood pressure has increased. However, in darker skin tones, it may not be possible to see a visible flush.
Faith Ohuoba, MD, an OB/GYN, department chair and specialty medical director at Memorial Hermann Northeast in Humble, Texas, cautions readers that high blood pressure doesn’t directly impact surface temperature on the ears, but can impact hearing.
“HBP can damage small vessels in the ear, leading to hearing loss or tinnitus,” she shares. Before you assume that hot ears are a sign you have HBP, Dr. Ohuoba warns that “if you or a loved one believes that you’re experiencing ‘hot ears,’ you should consider being seen by a physician so that they can rule out possibilities like an external ear infection or irritation from a foreign object or allergy, like from earrings.”
Also, keep in mind that if hot ears are accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain, severe headache, dizziness, vision changes or shortness of breath, you should seek immediate medical attention. While they might not be a sign of HBP, they could point to other conditions or medical emergencies.
What’s happening in your body
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries. When it’s consistently too high, the heart has to work harder, and as a result, arteries can become damaged. Over time, Medline Plus notes that this constant increased pressure can lead to more serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage and vision problems.
HBP is recorded with two numbers: the systolic pressure (when the heart is pumping) and the diastolic pressure (when the heart is resting between beats). As explained by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, for most adults, HBP is diagnosed when the readings are consistently 130/80 mm Hg or higher. However, HBP isn’t always immediately apparent during its onset. Studies show that many people might feel fine even if their arteries are under stress.
Common causes of high blood pressure
Often enough, HBP is usually caused by a few common sources. Too much salt (also known as sodium) in food can cause the body to retain excess water. The Mayo Clinic reports that extra fluid creates more volume in the blood vessels, which can translate to HBP.
According to the CDC, failing to stay active is a common contributing factor to a variety of health conditions, and HBP is no different. Sedentary lifestyles can mean that the heart doesn’t get enough exercise. Over time, this can weaken or make it less efficient, leading to your heart needing to produce higher pressure just for basic tasks. HBP is just one of many conditions that can be brought on or exacerbated by carrying excess weight, as per the NIDDK. More body weight means the body needs more blood and extra effort to circulate it. This results in more force inside the arteries.
While lifestyle factors often play a significant role in degenerative diseases like HBP, age can also cause arteries to become stiffer. Stiffer arteries can increase resistance and raise blood pressure. Not everyone with a family history of HBP will be diagnosed with it; however, the risk increases if close relatives like parents or siblings also have HBP.
The Cleveland Clinic points out that comorbidities, or conditions often diagnosed in people with other underlying conditions, can also be precursors to HBP. Specifically, kidney disease, diabetes, some hormonal imbalances or even sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of being diagnosed with HBP. Finally, chronic stress, worry, fear or anxiety can temporarily raise blood pressure. If left untreated for extended periods, it can contribute to lasting hypertension.
Diagnosis and treatment
According to the CDC, nearly half of all adults in the United States have HBP, with 58% of non-Hispanic Black adults having the disease. Worse still, many have uncontrolled HBP, which can be even more dangerous. To diagnose or rule out hypertension, doctors use specific tools and measurements. Likewise, treatment depends on the level of pressure, risk and other health conditions.
The most common diagnostic tool is a blood pressure cuff, which is known as a sphygmomanometer. Multiple readings may be taken on different days to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes people will wear a monitor or an at-home blood pressure device to see how readings change throughout the day or during activities. This illustrates how real-world values align with clinic readings.
Lifestyle changes can sometimes be the most impactful solutions for managing or reversing HBP. Eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, reaching a healthy weight, managing stress, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol are some of the top solutions.
If lifestyle changes don’t yield enough results, doctors may prescribe medicines based on a variety of factors, including overall health, age, underlying health conditions and even race. These can include:
- Diuretics to remove excess fluid.
- ACE inhibitors to reduce fluid retention and aid in blood pressure regulation.
- ARBs relax blood vessels and control blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers to relax muscles in the heart and the blood vessels.
What are the ten warning signs of high blood pressure?
Here are a few warning signs for HBP. Not everyone will experience all of the symptoms below. However, regular wellness visits or maintaining appointments for related medical issues can serve as a preventive measure.
- Severe or frequent headaches.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
- Vision changes (blurry or seeing spots).
- Nosebleeds (especially if they’re frequent or unexplained).
- Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual.
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations.
- Blood in urine or kidney problems.
- Swelling in feet, ankles, hands or around the eyes.
When to see a doctor
Individuals who experience frequent high blood pressure readings of 130/80 mmHg or exhibit the symptoms above should consult a doctor. Urgent symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden vision change or severe headache.
Likewise, if prescriptions aren’t working to control HBP, doses are regularly skipped or symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention. HBP sometimes requires treatment adjustments to become well-managed. Be sure to maintain check-ups and follow the recommended treatment plan.
Bottom line
Hot ears can sometimes occur in people with high blood pressure, but they aren’t a direct symptom. In most cases, other factors contribute to that specific sensation. Still, HBP is a serious condition, especially in Black communities, where it tends to occur earlier but may be left untreated for extended periods, which can lead to more damage.
Controlling HBP is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing adverse outcomes. This means healthy eating, staying active, keeping stress under control, visiting the doctor and, if needed, using medicines. And people who experience unusual symptoms (including hot ears), should take that as a sign to see a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What could be mistaken for high blood pressure?
Things like anxiety or panic can increase heart rate and cause blood pressure spikes temporarily. Being in a stressful environment, having just eaten a large or salty meal or drinking caffeine can also raise it. Likewise, some symptoms, such as headaches or feelings of dizziness, can give a false impression that blood pressure is high when it’s not.
What time of day is blood pressure highest?
Dr. Ohuoba reminds readers that blood pressure can begin rising even before waking hours. “While it often peaks during the early morning hours…it can continue to rise throughout the day.” She advises that people required to check their blood pressure daily should do so at the same time every day to ensure consistent and accurate results.
Which arm should blood pressure be taken from?
Dr. Ohuoba says that there is no formal “preferred arm” by health practitioners. However, people are encouraged to take blood pressure readings while seated with their arm extended and to use the same arm for consistency with at-home testing. Similarly, it’s best to take measurements when in a calm state since anxiety and stress can alter readings.
Citations
Lackland DT. Racial Differences In Hypertension: Implications for High Blood Pressure Management. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Published 2014. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4108512/
Mayo Clinic Staff. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
Medline Plus Staff. High blood pressure. Published Medline Plus https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Staff. High Blood Pressure – What is High Blood Pressure? NHLBI, NIH. Published 2024. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure
National Institute of Health Staff. Overview: High Blood Pressure. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Published 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279239/
Mayo Clinic Staff. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Controlling This Common Health Problem-High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – Symptoms & Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
CDC Staff. Adult Activity: An Overview. Physical Activity Basics. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Published 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html
NIDDK Staff. Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks
Cleveland Clinic Staff. What Are Comorbidities? Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/comorbidities
CDC Staff. High Blood Pressure Facts. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Published 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats/index.html