Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure significantly increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke, often without any warning signs or symptoms. If high blood pressure runs in your family or you have ever had elevated blood pressure readings, schedule an appointment to evaluate your current levels.

FAQ's

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is too high. When blood pressure stays high over the long term, it may eventually result in serious health problems.

In many cases of high blood pressure, the arteries are narrowed due to plaque buildup, forcing your heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout your body. This increased resistance in your arteries forces your heart to pump harder, which puts extra stress on your heart.

It’s common not to experience any warning signs or symptoms when you have hypertension. The only way to monitor your blood pressure and ensure that it’s within a safe range is through blood pressure checks. That’s why routine checkups with your primary care physician is instrumental in keeping high blood pressure under control.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Many adults don’t experience any symptoms at all until their blood pressure reaches a dangerously high level, and even then, some people are symptom-free. Some men and women get headaches or nosebleeds, or they may feel short of breath, but these rarely occur until your blood pressure is dangerously high.

What are the risk factors for hypertension?

Hypertension has many different risk factors, many of which can be controlled through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. Your ethnicity, family history, and being older may contribute to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Other risk factors include:

Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Lack of vitamin D
Smoking or tobacco use
High-sodium diet
Low-potassium diet
High-stress levels for prolonged periods
Regularly consuming too much alcohol
Other chronic health conditions
Pregnancy (usually a temporary risk factor)

Making lifestyle modifications can help lower your risk of developing high blood pressure or even bring elevated blood pressure levels back into a healthy range.

How is hypertension treated?

The best way to prevent complications or a life-threatening situation is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ideally, you want your blood pressure to remain below 120/80. If your physician determines your blood pressure isn’t within a safe range, your treatment may include:

Making dietary changes
Getting more exercise
Quitting smoking
Taking medications to help control your blood pressure

DHFWC takes a comprehensive approach to treat hypertension, considering your overall health and lifestyle. We will work with you to create an individual preventive or treatment plan that’s most effective for your specific concerns.