What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. This pressure is measured by the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The higher the blood pressure, the harder the heart is working, and the stronger the resistance of the blood flow in your arteries.
Hypertension is an extremely common condition, but if left unchecked it can cause serious complications to your health including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Vision loss
- Kidney disease/failure
- Sexual dysfunction
- Angina
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Know Your Numbers
It is incredibly important to measure your blood pressure on occasion since many people with high blood pressure are not even aware that they have it. There are few signs and symptoms associated with high blood pressure, so it can be difficult to diagnose without consistent monitoring. Hypertension develops over time, so even if you had your blood pressure checked at the doctor’s office last year, you could still be at risk.
Blood pressure is measured by two numbers, Systolic and Diastolic pressure. The first of which (top) measures the force after your heart contracts and the second (bottom) is a measure of when the heart relaxes between beats. Your blood pressure can fall into one of three ranges if it measures high:
Low risk: 120/80
Medium risk: 121-139/ 80-89
High risk: 140+/90
Managing Your Blood Pressure
It is important to consult a professional to have your blood pressure accurately measured and assessed. Allowing high blood pressure to go unchecked can lead to a variety of serious conditions such as heart attack or stroke, brain aneurysm, heart failure, and even memory loss. If you happen to fall into the medium-high risk range, you can begin to explore options to fix it and restore your internal health. Although some factors such as genetics and family history are beyond your control, there are many factors that can be addressed by making lifestyle changes and natural therapy.
What You Can Do Today About High Blood Pressure
For expert advice on how to manage high blood pressure, or if you fear you may be at risk for high blood pressure, contact our team at Centerville Medical Center in Dallas, TX today. Our experts specialize in integrative medicine and wellness solutions that help our patients get their health back on track.
