Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a dangerous, but all too common condition that has few noticeable symptoms and can lead to debilitating and sometimes deadly heart attacks and strokes. It’s, for this reason, known as the “silent killer.” High blood pressure is a contributor to America’s number one killer, heart disease, even though it’s easily preventable.

When you have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, the blood in your blood vessels is under more pressure than it should be. When left untreated, high blood pressure damages your circulatory system, increasing your risk of a severe cardiac issue.

Although most people don’t experience symptoms, hypertension can lead to headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. However, when these symptoms do occur, your blood pressure has often already reached a dangerously high level. Unfortunately, in many cases, a heart attack or stroke is the first symptom of high blood pressure.

What causes hypertension?

Hypertension can be either primary, sometimes called essential, or secondary. With primary hypertension, the cause is not definitively known, and your blood pressure gradually worsens over time.

Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that results from another health condition. This type of high blood pressure can be caused by:

• Kidney problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Certain medications
• Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes

Unlike primary hypertension, secondary hypertension often starts suddenly and your blood pressure numbers increase quickly.

How is hypertension treated?

In many cases, you can lower your blood pressure by adding some healthy habits to your routine. These include things like:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet filled with low-sodium foods
• Exercising most days of the week
• Stopping smoking cigarettes or other tobacco use
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Managing your stress levels
• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
• Monitoring your blood pressure routinely

Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure to a healthy level. When this occurs, Dr. Bland often recommends adding a blood pressure medication. Hypertension medication comes in a variety of forms and it may take a few tries to find the best one for you.

You can prevent heart attacks and strokes, and it starts with monitoring your blood pressure. Call Bland Clinic, P.A. today or use online booking to schedule an appointment with the area’s only hypertension specialist.