Hypertension Specialist

What is hypertension?

A more common term for hypertension is high blood pressure. Hypertension occurs when the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries is elevated for a long time. Over time, it can cause damage to the vessels and to your heart. You can have hypertension for years with no symptoms, so it’s important to get a blood pressure reading when you visit the doctor.

When you come to Personal Touch Medical Center, the team takes your blood pressure reading during your standard physical exams, sick visits, and any other visit. The reading includes two numbers: one number to indicate the systolic pressure when your heart pumps blood into your arteries and the other to indicate the diastolic pressure at rest. They use these numbers to determine whether or not you have hypertension.

Hypertension often develops when your arteries become narrower over time. This happens because of the buildup of cholesterol along your artery walls, which can lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis begins when tiny tears form along your artery walls.

What are the complications of hypertension?

Having hypertension for a long time puts you at risk for many serious and often life-threatening health complications. The damage that comes from hypertension can lead to:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Aneurysm
• Metabolic syndrome
• Vision problems
• Kidney problems
• Dementia

If you already have complications from hypertension, the team at Personal Touch Medical Center can offer the necessary treatment or refer you to a specialist.

Am I at risk for hypertension?

Hypertension often appears without a definable cause. However, there are many risk factors for the condition that you should consider, even if you don’t yet have a diagnosis. The risk factors for hypertension include:

• Older age
• Being overweight or obese
• Lacking exercise
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• A high-sodium diet
• A low-potassium diet
• Stress

Additionally, certain chronic diseases can lead to or contribute to hypertension. You should address your hypertension risk with the team at Personal Touch Medical Center if you have sleep apnea, diabetes, thyroid problems, or another chronic condition.

How is hypertension treated?

At Personal Touch Medical Center, the team works with you to explore your risk factors and lower your blood pressure. Since high blood pressure can be life-threatening, it’s important to make some changes soon after you get a diagnosis.

Lifestyle changes alone may be enough to lower your blood pressure to safer levels. The team can work with you to create a diet plan that includes heart-healthy foods and limited sodium. They can also help you stop smoking, reduce your alcohol consumption, and lose weight.

You may also need to take prescribed medications to treat hypertension. The Personal Touch Medical Center team tells you how to take your prescribed medication to get the best results from it.

For hypertension treatment, call Personal Touch Medical Center, or book an appointment online today.