What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure occurs when blood moves through your arteries with too much force. This long-term force can lead to a number of serious issues with your cardiovascular health.
Your blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the resistance it experiences as it flows through your arteries. Patients with high blood pressure are at an increased risk for a number of serious health conditions, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Dementia
- Heart failure
In most cases, high blood pressure develops over time without a clear cause. Although the exact cause is unknown, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Who is at risk for high blood pressure?
Risk factors for high blood pressure include:
- High sodium diet
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Tobacco use
- Low potassium diet
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- High levels of stress
Certain conditions, like kidney disease and diabetes, can also contribute to high blood pressure. High blood pressure also occurs with age.
Most people develop high blood pressure at some point in their life. The experienced providers at Family Medical Associates of Delaware can help you determine your risk for high blood pressure and the best methods for managing the condition.
How is high blood pressure treated?
Most people with high blood pressure don't experience symptoms, so it’s important to attend your regular health screenings.
You’re likely familiar with the inflatable arm cuff routinely used to measure blood pressure. This simple test can help determine your risks and identify any concerning changes to your blood pressure.
The best way to address high blood pressure is prevention. There are a number of effective ways to prevent high blood pressure, including:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Getting regular exercise
- Limiting alcohol consumption
These healthy lifestyle habits are also used to manage high blood pressure and keep it under control. Treating your high blood pressure may include additional lifestyle changes, like:
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
- Limiting salt in your diet
In addition to lifestyle changes, medication is also used to keep blood pressure under control.
At Family Medical Associates of Delaware, your doctor partners with you to develop a treatment plan designed to address the specific contributors to your high blood pressure. To schedule your visit, call today.
