THE DANGERS OF HYPERTENSION

About half of all Americans have hypertension, better known as high blood pressure. Worse, many people don’t even know they have it, mainly because hypertension rarely causes symptoms — until a serious complication occurs.

Danette J. Joseph, MD, and the team at Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center help patients in Hershey, Pennsylvania, manage their blood pressure and avoid the serious problems it can cause. Here’s what Dr. Joseph and her team want you to know about hypertension and why it’s so important to do all you can to keep your blood pressure under control.

HYPERTENSION: A SERIOUS THREAT TO YOUR HEALTH

Blood pressure is just what it sounds like: The pressure or force the blood exerts on the walls of your blood vessels as it circulates through your body. While your blood pressure can vary throughout the day, normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower.

The two numbers in that measurement refer to your systolic blood pressure and your diastolic blood pressure. The first measures the force against the vessel walls when your heart is beating, and the second measures that same force when your heart rests between beats.

With elevated blood pressure, all your organs and tissues are subjected to that extra force every time they receive blood from your arteries. Over time, the added, repetitive strain can lead to significant complications.

COMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION

High blood pressure increases the risks of many serious medical issues, including:

• Heart disease and angina (chest pain)
• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Kidney disease and kidney failure

• Sexual dysfunction

• Vision loss

• Cognitive problems

• Dementia

Because hypertension rarely causes noticeable symptoms, knowing your risk factors is essential in ensuring you get frequent screenings so high blood pressure can be caught early.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

While hypertension can happen to anyone, it’s much more common among people who:

• Smoke

• Are overweight or obese

• Eat a diet high in unhealthy fats or sodium (salt)

• Don’t get a lot of exercise

• Are older

• Have high cholesterol or diabetes

• Have a family history of high blood pressure

Because hypertension almost never causes noticeable symptoms, knowing your risk factors plays an important role in making sure you get frequent screenings so high blood pressure can be caught early.

Those risk factors can also play a role in helping you manage your blood pressure. For instance, simple lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, dropping extra pounds, and being more active, can go a long way toward keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range.

While lifestyle changes are essential, they may not be enough for everyone. Dr. Joseph and her team can prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure. Taking medication in combination with lifestyle changes can be a winning combination for many patients who want to avoid the complications of hypertension.

MAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE A PRIORITY

While hypertension does tend to become more common as we get older, you’re never too young to start paying attention to your blood pressure, especially if you have any of the risk factors listed above. To learn how we can help, call (717) 298-1268 or book an appointment online with Three Angels Family Practice & Wellness Center today.