High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood pumping against your artery walls is consistently too high for an extended period of time. Left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including a heart attack or stroke. 

Almost everyone develops high blood pressure eventually. Fortunately, it’s easy to diagnose, manage, and treat. Even if you feel relatively healthy, it’s important to monitor your blood pressure levels at least once every year. Familiarizing yourself with your numbers is the first step toward improving your heart health and quality of life.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually doesn’t present any obvious signs or symptoms. That’s why many doctors call it the “silent killer.” Some people with high blood pressure end up developing headaches and nosebleeds, but these symptoms usually don’t occur until blood pressure reaches a severe or life-threatening stage. 

Are there different types of high blood pressure?

Physicians Medical Primary Care diagnoses and treats both types of high blood pressure:

Primary high blood pressure

Primary high blood pressure occurs seemingly out of the blue. There’s no underlying cause, and it develops slowly over time.

Secondary high blood pressure

Secondary high blood pressure is a type of high blood pressure caused by an underlying health condition. Some of the most common causes of secondary high blood pressure include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Kidney disease
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Certain congenital disabilities

You might also develop secondary high blood pressure as a result of taking certain prescription medications. 

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

To diagnose high blood pressure, your provider places an inflatable cuff around your arm and pinpoints your numbers with a pressure-measuring gauge.

Your doctor gives you your blood pressure reading in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Any reading of 120/80 mm Hg or lower is normal. You have elevated blood pressure if you have a reading of 120-129/80 mm Hg, and stage 1 hypertension occurs at any reading 130/80 mm Hg or above.

How is high blood pressure treated?

Whenever possible, Physicians Medical Primary Care doctors use conservative measures of care, such as lifestyle changes, to treat high blood pressure. Depending on your numbers, they might recommend eating a healthy diet, cutting back on your sodium intake, exercising more regularly, and managing your stress levels.

If these steps don’t significantly lower your numbers, prescription medications may be necessary. To achieve the best possible results from treatment, make sure to take your medications daily as prescribed. 

Are you concerned about your risk of high blood pressure? If so, make an appointment at Physicians Medical Primary Care today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.