About half of American adults have hypertension (high blood pressure). Though serious, the condition rarely presents symptoms, so you might not even realize you’re at risk. At Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, in Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, Poughkeepsie, and Wappinger Falls, New York, the primary care team specializes in diagnosing and treating hypertension. Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood pumping through your arteries stays high for months or even years. Without intervention and treatment, high blood pressure damages your arteries and blood vessels, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
There are various things you can do to keep your numbers within a healthy range and maintain better health.
At Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, the team diagnoses and treats both types of hypertension, including:
Primary hypertension develops slowly as you age. Often, it occurs due to lifestyle factors, like smoking, drinking alcohol, or living a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondary hypertension develops suddenly. It often occurs due to an underlying medical issue, like kidney or heart disease.
Anyone can experience hypertension, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
Certain underlying medical issues can also increase your risk of high blood pressure, including diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.
To diagnose hypertension, the team reviews your medical records and completes a physical exam. During the exam, they listen to your heart and respiratory rate, and then take your blood pressure with an inflatable cuff that you wear around your arm and a pressure-measuring gauge.
A result of 120/80 mm/Hg is a normal blood pressure reading. A result of 130/80 mm/Hg or higher means you have hypertension.
Treatment of hypertension depends on several factors, including your age, the severity of your reading, and if you have any underlying medical issues. The team might recommend:
If these measures don’t reduce your blood pressure, they might prescribe medication. There are several types of medication used to treat hypertension, including diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Call Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, today or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about hypertension.