Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure. The condition is extremely common, and you’re more likely to get it as you age. 

Your blood pressure measurement reads the amount of force placed on the walls of your blood vessels each time your heart pumps. Small or constricted arteries increase the resistance against blood flow, therefore, raising your blood pressure. 

Some people get high blood pressure because of their genetics, while others develop it because of an unhealthy lifestyle leading to plaque buildup in their vessels. You can also get hypertension as a result of another disease, like kidney disease or obstructive sleep apnea. 

Physicians Medical Primary Care measures your blood pressure at all of your general and urgent care visits. Checking your blood pressure helps you detect hypertension early and treat it before it causes complications.

What are the risks of having hypertension?

Hypertension typically doesn’t cause any symptoms, which makes the health risks that come with it much more sinister. Many people don’t even realize they have hypertension before it causes serious health complications.

If you have hypertension and don’t make the necessary changes to control your blood pressure, you have an elevated risk of:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Memory problems and dementia
• Metabolic syndrome
• Vision problems
• Kidney problems

If your hypertension is severe and undiagnosed, it can cause symptoms like headaches, nosebleeds, flushing, or dizziness. You should seek medical care right away. Even if you don’t have symptoms, you should be sure to check your blood pressure each time you visit Physicians Medical Primary Care.

How is hypertension treated?

Physicians Medical Primary Care can help you monitor your blood pressure and treat your hypertension. Treatment for high blood pressure usually starts with lifestyle changes and progresses to medications if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to make a change.

To lower your blood pressure, your doctor might suggest:

• Eating less sodium
• Eating a generally healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Losing weight
• Stopping smoking
• Limiting the alcohol you drink
• Finding an outlet to manage your stress

If your doctor prescribes medications for your hypertension, they describe to you how your medication works to reduce the pressure of your blood against your vessel walls. For the best results with any medication, you should continue following a heart-healthy lifestyle.

To find out more about hypertension and its effects on your body, book an appointment by phone or online at Physicians Medical Primary Care today.