Headaches are not a normal feature of hypertension. For an unfortunate few, however, high tension headaches can lead to increased blood pressure. Severe or long term untreated hypertension can also lead to ongoing headaches. If high blood pressure is due to a pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor), symptoms may include severe headache, anxiety, an awareness of a rapid or irregular heart rate (palpitations), excessive perspiration, tremor, and paleness. These symptoms result from high levels of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are secreted by the pheochromocytoma.