Hypertension Specialist

What is hypertension?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is higher than it should be. Your heart works harder than it’s supposed to when you have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s a leading cause of heart disease.

A normal blood pressure reading is 119/79 or lower. Blood pressure that runs 120-139/80-89 is diagnosed as prehypertensive and means you’re likely to develop full-blown high blood pressure unless you get treatment.

High blood pressure is diagnosed when your reading is 140/90 or higher at three consecutive appointments.

What causes hypertension?

Hypertension results from genetics, lifestyle habits, or combinations of the two. Factors that increase your risk of developing hypertension include:

• Family history of high blood pressure
• Older age
• Being overweight or obese
• African descent
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Using tobacco products
• A high sodium or low potassium diet
• Stress
• Excessive alcohol
• Having sleep apnea, diabetes, or kidney disease
  
  

Many, but not all, risk factors for hypertension are preventable by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

Are there symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension is a “silent killer.” It usually shows no symptoms until it reaches a critical stage.  This is why routine blood pressure screening is crucial.

If you do have symptoms, such as shortness of breath, headaches, or nosebleeds, your blood pressure may be dangerously high or at a life-threatening stage.

How is hypertension treated?

Your personalized hypertension treatment plan is based on the severity of your condition and whether you have additional medical conditions. 

The cardiology team at Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington has extensive experience in treating hypertension. They use strategies like lifestyle recommendations, regular blood pressure monitoring, and prescription medications when needed.

Your doctor helps you understand how to tweak your diet, lose weight, consume less sodium and alcohol, quit smoking, and get more physical activity — all steps that are key to lowering your blood pressure levels.

Your doctor may ask that you come in for regular monitoring to ensure that your blood pressure treatment is working and to make any tweaks in your treatment as necessary.

To schedule a blood pressure screening, make an appointment with Comprehensive Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates of Huntington by calling or requesting your visit online today.