WHAT IS HYPERTENSION AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

About half of all men and women in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), which means they’re all at increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health complications. Worse, because hypertension typically causes no symptoms on its own, many people don’t even know they have it.

At Three Angels Family Practice and Wellness Center, Danette J. Joseph, MD, helps patients in Hershey, Pennsylvania, manage their hypertension and understand their risk factors for high blood pressure. Here’s what she wants you to know about hypertension and why treatment is so important for your health.

HYPERTENSION BASICS

As your blood circulates through your blood vessels, it exerts pressure on the walls of the vessels. This is your blood pressure, and when you’re healthy, it typically remains within a specific range. If you have high blood pressure, that measurement exceeds the normal range, increasing force not only on the walls of the vessels, but on your organs, too.

Blood pressure measurements are given in two numbers: one representing the pressure in your vessels when your heart is contracting, and one representing that pressure in between beats, when your heart is at rest. Each number is given in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). For most adults, normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mmHg.

Without proper management, high blood pressure increases your risks of:

• Heart attack

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Artery disease

• Vision problems

• Kidney disease

• Cognitive problems and dementia

• Sexual dysfunction

Managing blood pressure can help reduce these risks.

Hypertension is a lot more common among older adults, but it can affect kids, too. Because hypertension causes no symptoms on its own, having your blood pressure checked regularly is the best way to know if your pressure is elevated.

RECOGNIZING YOUR RISK FACTORS

One of the best ways to manage hypertension and even to prevent it is by knowing your risk factors. Modifiable risk factors are ones you can change, while non-modifiable risk factors are factors over which you have no control.

The most common modifiable risk factors associated with hypertension include:

• Smoking

• Being overweight or obese

• Being physically inactive or sedentary

• Consuming too much sodium

• Drinking a lot of alcohol

• High cholesterol, typically from an unhealthy diet

• Having a lot of stress

Diabetes is another risk factor for hypertension; while Type 2 diabetes may be considered a modifiable risk factor, Type 1 diabetes is not.

Non-modifiable risk factors include:

• Genetics (family history of hypertension)

• Older age

• Male gender

People with chronic kidney disease and sleep apnea also have a higher risk of hypertension.

TREATING HYPERTENSION

Before prescribing treatment for your high blood pressure, Dr. Joseph performs a comprehensive health exam, including lab tests and a complete medical history, to identify your risk factors. She may also order health screenings for complications of hypertension, like kidney disease or heart disease.

In most instances, treatment begins with lifestyle modifications to address the modifiable risk factors. These modifications can include:

Healthy diet

Smoking cessation

Weight loss

Increased exercise

Stress management programs

Improved sleep routines

Sometimes, these changes alone are enough to bring your blood pressure within a healthy range. Often, though, patients benefit from hypertension medication designed to lower their blood pressure and keep it at normal levels. Because your blood pressure can change with age and other factors, routine checkups are essential for making sure your treatment remains effective.

LEARN HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISKS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension is associated with serious medical risks, but it can be managed. The key is to see Dr. Joseph for regular checkups, so she can adjust your management plan based on your evolving needs.

To learn more about hypertension treatment and prevention, call (717) 298-1268 or book an appointment online at Three Angels Family Practice and Wellness Center today.