Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a health condition that causes increased pressure inside your blood vessels. 

A higher-than-normal blood pressure places unhealthy levels of stress on your cells, organs, and body systems. This puts you at a high risk of severe complications, including stroke and heart failure. 

Heart health experts call hypertension the silent killer, because you may not have any symptoms until your internal organs have already been damaged. 

The only way of knowing that you have high blood pressure and preventing significant long-term damage is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Your blood pressure readings vary naturally, but a consistent blood pressure reading of greater than 140/90 indicates you have this dangerous condition.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

As part of a regular physical, your primary care provider checks your blood pressure and assesses your risk for hypertension. 

The team measures and records your blood pressure and tracks it over time. If there’s a trend of elevated blood pressure, your provider will diagnose you with hypertension.

The team uses an automatic machine or a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to measure your blood pressure. Blood pressure readings reflect two types of pressure: 

• Systolic pressure: measures pressure inside your vessels when your heart pumps
• Diastolic pressure: measures pressure inside your vessel between pumps

With a pressure of 120/80 or lower, the pressure inside your blood vessels during a heartbeat is healthy and ideal. A higher pressure indicates your heart is working harder than necessary to deliver blood to your body.

What are the possible complications of hypertension? 

Hypertension places both men and women at higher-than-average risk for conditions such as:

• Stroke
• Aneurysm 
• Kidney failure
• Varicose veins 
• Carotid artery disease
• Coronary artery disease 
• Erectile dysfunction
• Congestive heart failure
• Glaucoma

If you have hypertension, your provider at One Health Medical Care monitors you closely for any signs of these complications. They may recommend specific regular screenings, such as EKG, routine blood work, echocardiogram, or glaucoma screening.

Am I at risk for hypertension?

Being male, obese, or a smoker are the leading risk factors for having high blood pressure. Other risk factors that could place you at higher risk of having hypertension include:

• Alcohol abuse
• Recreational drug use
• African-American race
• Stressful lifestyle 
• Inactive lifestyle
• Unhealthy eating
• Diet high in fat or salt
• Anxiety 
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Sleep apnea or other sleep disorders

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s essential to your long-term health and wellness that you have regular physicals and blood pressure checks.

For a blood pressure check and treatment of high blood pressure, call the office or schedule an appointment online with the expert team at One Health Medical Care.