High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

If you have high blood pressure, it means the force of the blood pumping against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently high. High blood pressure is a common condition, but it’s known as the “silent killer” because it presents few obvious symptoms.

Anyone can experience high blood pressure, but it’s especially common in people who are middle-aged and older. If it’s been more than a year since you last checked your blood pressure, book an appointment at Healthy Horizons Clinic.

What are the types of high blood pressure?

Healthy Horizons Clinic treats several types of blood pressure, including:

Primary high blood pressure

Primary high blood pressure occurs due to unhealthy habits and the natural aging process. 

Secondary high blood pressure

Secondary high blood pressure occurs due to an underlying medical condition. Common causes of secondary high blood pressure include hormonal imbalances and kidney disease.

What happens if high blood pressure goes untreated?

When high blood pressure goes untreated, you’re more likely to experience various health issues, including:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Complications during pregnancy
• Vision loss

If you have high blood pressure, you’re also more likely to develop vascular dementia.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

To diagnose high blood pressure, your Healthy Horizons Clinic provider reviews your medical history and conducts a physical exam.

During the physical, they use an inflatable arm cuff and a pressure-measuring gauge to assess your blood pressure. Any reading of 120/80 mm/Hg or lower indicates normal or “healthy” blood pressure. Any higher reading indicates high blood pressure.

How is high blood pressure treated?

Healthy Horizons Clinic treats high blood pressure using evidence-based medicine and routine follow-ups. 

Depending on the severity of your condition, your provider might recommend healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, eating a more balanced diet, and exercising regularly. If your blood pressure remains high even after making these changes, your provider might recommend prescription medication.

There are several types of medication used to treat high blood pressure, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. 

If you think you might have high blood pressure, make an appointment at Healthy Horizons Clinic by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.