What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where your heart is pumping your blood too hard in order to get it through your body. This happens because of a narrowing of the arteries, which force the heart to do more work to get the blood to flow through them.
What Are the Types of Blood Pressure?
When it comes to blood pressure, we measure two factors:
- Systolic Pressure – The pressure of blood when the heart beats.
- Diastolic Pressure – The pressure of blood when the heart rests.
If either number is out of the optimal range, we may diagnose you with hypertension.
What Are the Symptoms?
Unfortunately, hypertension does not have any visible symptoms. Your first sign of hypertension may be a heart attack or stroke, which is why it is vital to get tested for hypertension regularly if you are at risk.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Primary hypertension is usually due to a combination of factors including stress, poor lifestyle choices with respect to diet and exercise, weight, smoking, and genetics. A type of hypertension called secondary hypertension can come on suddenly due to conditions like thyroid problems, medication side effects, sleep apnea, and kidney disease.
Is My Blood Pressure Too High?
A healthy blood pressure is less than 120 mm/Hg systolic and less than 80 mm/hg diastolic. If your reading is 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic you have Stage 1 hypertension. If it’s 140-179 systolic or 90-119 diastolic you have Stage 2 hypertension that should be managed with medication. If your blood pressure is over 180 diastolic or 120 diastolic you are in hypertensive crisis and should seek immediate medical attention.
How Do We Treat High Blood Pressure?
There are medications we can prescribe to lower blood pressure. However, it is also very important that you make lifestyle changes to keep your blood pressure under control, including avoiding foods high in trans and unsaturated fats and carbs, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise. After examining you, Dr. Esslinger will put you on a program to aid weight loss and manage your blood pressure, if necessary.
Visit Us for the Best Hypertension Treatments in Northwest Georgia
At Esslinger Medical and Aesthetics, we believe in long-term patient care. When you come in for a consultation, we will learn all your medical concerns and develop a treatment plan to keep you healthy over the course of your life. This may include medications and diet and exercise recommendations for hypertension. To start with a complete physical and assessment of heart disease risk factors in Cartersville, GA, or surrounding areas, call us now at (470) 888-6543 or get in touch online by submitting the form below.
