High Blood Pressure Specialist

Why is blood pressure dangerous to my health?

High blood pressure damages blood vessels, creating rough spots where cholesterol accumulates. As cholesterol builds up and hardens, plaque develops. Plaque interferes with blood flow and increases your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.

High blood pressure (hypertension) also contributes to kidney disease. When it goes untreated, it damages blood vessels in your eyes, which can lead to vision loss.

Here’s another reason why high blood pressure is so dangerous: It sneaks up on you. It seldom causes symptoms, even when your blood pressure is severely high. As a result, it can cause damage for years without you having a clue.

The team at Associated Physicians Group, PLC offers blood pressure monitoring. Routine monitoring lets you know as soon as you begin to develop hypertension. Ongoing monitoring also helps keep blood pressure in the normal range if you’ve already developed hypertension.

What causes high blood pressure?

High blood pressure may be caused by an underlying health condition. 

In most cases, however, high blood pressure is not associated with another problem. Instead, it develops slowly over the years due to lifestyle factors such as:

Excess weight or obesity

Having excess weight increases blood volume, which raises blood pressure.

Diet high in salt

Salt (sodium) makes your body retain fluid, a factor that increases blood pressure.

Diet low in potassium

Having a diet that is low in potassium causes too much sodium to build up in your body.

Sedentary lifestyle

A lack of exercise often leads to a higher heart rate and higher blood pressure.

Smoking cigarettes

Tobacco immediately raises blood pressure and damages artery walls

Underlying health conditions like diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disease, and thyroid disease can all lead to high blood pressure.

What is the treatment for high blood pressure?

Lifestyle changes like losing weight and reducing salt often effectively lower blood pressure. As a result, these changes are the first line of treatment for hypertension.

Your doctor at Associated Physicians Group, PLC provides the information you need to transition to a healthier lifestyle. Routine blood pressure monitoring, whether at home or in the office, is also an important part of your treatment.

If your blood pressure is dangerously high, or if lifestyle changes don’t bring it into the normal range, then your doctor may prescribe you medication. Several types of medications are available to treat hypertension, and the team at Associated Physicians Group, PLC prescribes the one that’s best for your overall health.

To schedule blood pressure screening, call Associated Physicians Group, PLC today.