Could You Be Among the Millions of Americans Who Have Hypertension and Don't Know It?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, quietly damages your blood vessels and organs without showing outward symptoms. You usually don’t know you have high blood pressure until you’ve reached a crisis state. 

Almost half of the adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and a significant amount of them don’t know they’re affected. Here at MedLife Center can easily screen you for hypertension during your annual visits.

If you have any risk factors for hypertension, make an appointment to get your levels checked. High blood pressure can be controlled and often reversed with prescription medication, a healthy diet, and lifestyle changes. 

At MedLife Center, with three locations in South Florida, we provide expert diagnosis and management of the condition. If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, our providers develop a treatment plan and recommend steps to stay healthy.

About high blood pressure

When your blood travels through your arteries at a force that’s higher than normal, you have high blood pressure. The longer you go with unmanaged high blood pressure, the more damage that your arteries and organs endure.

Blood pressure is depicted as two numbers: the higher number or systolic blood pressure (a measure of the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats), and lower number or diastolic blood pressure (a measure of the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats).

A blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal by the American Heart Association. 

We start to show concern and recommend treatment if you have a reading that’s:

Elevated: 120-129 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg

Hypertension stage 1: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic

Hypertension Stage 2: 140/90 mm Hg or higher

If you have any of these more alarming blood pressure levels, you may require lifestyle changes and blood pressure medication, depending on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of crisis high blood pressure

Usually, you won’t know you have high blood pressure without a visit to our office. When you’re reaching very high levels that require emergency care, you may have: 

• Blood spots in the eyes
• Facial flushing
• Dizziness
• Blurred or double vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heart palpitations

Of course, these symptoms can be caused by many other serious conditions. If you notice any of these issues, seek medical care immediately.

Uncontrollable risk factors

Some risk factors for blood pressure are controllable while others are not. If you have uncontrollable risk factors for high blood pressure, it’s essential to monitor your levels and live a lifestyle that supports a healthy body.

Some risk factors you just can’t change include:

Family History

Your risk of developing high blood pressure is higher if your parents or other immediate blood relatives have the disease.

Age

You’re more likely to get high blood pressure with age. Over time, your blood vessels lose their elasticity, which can make you vulnerable to increased blood pressure.

Gender

Men experience high blood pressure more than women in adults under age 65. After 65, women are more likely to develop the condition.

Race

African-Americans develop high blood pressure more often than individuals of other backgrounds. 

Taking control of your health

Lifestyle steps help you reduce your risk of hypertension, no matter your other risk factors. These include:

• Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthy diet rich in lean protein and fiber and low in salt, sugar, and saturated fat
• Managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms like meditation, yoga, and exercise
• Getting plenty of sleep to allow your body a period of rest
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Controlling chronic diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea
• Avoiding smoking and tobacco use, which can temporarily increase your blood pressure

Schedule regular check-ups at MedLife Center to monitor your blood pressure levels and get extra help, like medications and weight loss support, if you need it. The earlier you get help for high blood pressure, the better you can manage the disease. 

Find out about your risk for high blood pressure and what you can do to stay healthy by consulting the team at MedLife Center. Call today or use this website to reach out.