Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is outside a normal range. When blood pressure levels remain high for too long, you may be at increased risk for chronic health problems, including heart disease, heart attack, or a stroke.

There are two types of hypertension:

Primary hypertension

In primary hypertension, your blood pressure levels remain high for no specific reason. Blood pressure levels typically increase over the course of many years.

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension is a condition where your blood pressure levels are high because of underlying medical issues, such as:

• Kidney disease
  
• Thyroid disorder
  
• Obstructive sleep apnea

You may also develop secondary hypertension if you take over-the-counter cold medicines or pain relievers or if you use illegal drugs.

What are the risk factors for hypertension?

In addition to underlying medical issues, your risk for developing hypertension increases because of:

• Stress
  
• Obesity
  
• Smoking
  
• Family history
  
• High-sodium diet
  
• Alcohol consumption
  
• Lack of physical activity

As you get older, you may also be at increased risk for hypertension and its related health complications.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Because hypertension causes no symptoms until the condition is advanced, it’s important to have regular blood pressure checks. The Harmony Health team offers in-office blood pressure monitoring during routine visits.

If you have a family history of hypertension, your Harmony Health provider may suggest more frequent blood pressure checks to identify potential issues as early as possible.

How is hypertension treated?

The goal of hypertension treatment plans to keep your blood pressure levels well-controlled for the long term, which is important for the prevention of major cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The Harmony Health medical team offers comprehensive hypertension treatments and may initially recommend making changes to your daily life to lower blood pressure naturally. This includes:

• Quitting smoking
  
• Reducing stress
  
• Getting daily exercise
  
• Eating a heart-healthy diet

If lifestyle adjustments aren’t enough to lower blood pressure levels, you may need medications to relax your blood vessels and improve circulation.

Schedule a blood pressure check for hypertension today by calling Harmony Health or by requesting an appointment online now.