Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition in which the force of blood against your blood vessel walls is consistently too strong. While everybody experiences high blood pressure from time to time, especially if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, hypertension can have an adverse effect on your health.

High blood pressure damages your blood vessel walls over time. Without treatment, it increases your risk of stroke, aneurysm, kidney and heart failure, and dementia. Hypertension can even become life-threatening without proper care. The sooner you seek treatment for high blood pressure, the less likely you are to experience complications.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension rarely causes symptoms. However, a hypertensive crisis — a sudden increase in blood pressure — can lead to severe symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Blurred vision

If you experience a hypertensive crisis, seek medical attention right away to prevent complications, such as stroke or heart attack.

What causes hypertension?

There are two types of hypertension, and each has its own risk factors:

Primary

Primary hypertension accounts for about 95% of all cases. There is no single cause, but several risk factors can increase your chances of developing hypertension. Smoking cigarettes, carrying excess weight, inactivity, and high stress levels are common risk factors for hypertension. You’re also more likely to have high blood pressure if it runs in your family.

Secondary

Secondary hypertension is often the result of an underlying disease or medication. Thyroid disease, adrenal disease, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are only a few of the many conditions that can cause secondary hypertension.

What are the treatments for hypertension?

Most cases of hypertension are manageable with diet and lifestyle changes. However, most advanced cases may require medication. If you have hypertension, the team at Prosalud Family Medicine may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Following a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Managing stress
• Consuming less alcohol
• Quitting smoking
• Taking medication
• Switching medications

Routine visits to Prosalud Family Medicine are also important to monitor your blood pressure. 

To learn more about hypertension, call Prosalud Family Medicine or schedule an appointment online today.