Hypertension Specialist

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure. This means that the force of blood against your artery walls is so high that it may eventually cause problems like heart disease. 

If left untreated, hypertension can lead to many complications, including:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Aneurysm 
  
  

These conditions are serious and potentially fatal. Monitoring your blood pressure and keeping it under control can dramatically reduce your risk of heart problems. 

What causes hypertension?

Most of the time, there’s no underlying cause of hypertension. When this happens, it’s called primary hypertension. This type of hypertension typically develops slowly over many years. 

Other times, another medical condition causes high blood pressure. This is called secondary hypertension. Causes of secondary hypertension include:

• Kidney problems
• Thyroid problems
• Pregnancy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Certain medications, including decongestants 

Additionally, many factors can increase your risk of hypertension. Risk factors for hypertension include:

• Stress
• Increasing age
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Using tobacco
• Eating too much sodium
• Drinking too much alcohol
  
  

Sometimes, adopting healthier lifestyle habits is all you need to get your blood pressure under control. 

How do I know if I have hypertension?

Hypertension is known as the silent killer because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, even at dangerously high levels. The best way to find out if you have hypertension is to see your primary care physician for routine preventive care, even if you feel healthy. They should measure your blood pressure at every visit. 

If your blood pressure is high, your doctor may ask you to come back for subsequent measurements. Blood pressure can rise and fall throughout the day. If you continue to have high blood pressure readings, your doctor may diagnose you with hypertension and refer you to the experts at Premier Cardiovascular Consultants.

How is hypertension treated?

Premier Cardiovascular Consultants provides individualized treatment for hypertension. Depending on your needs, hypertension treatment may include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol
• Stopping smoking
• Taking medications to control blood pressure
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques, like yoga
  
  

To improve your quality of life by controlling hypertension, call Premier Cardiovascular Consultants, or request an appointment online today.