Blood pressure is the force in your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. The heart’s main job is to pump blood throughout the body through blood vessels. When your heart beats, the pressure in the arteries increases. This force is systolic pressure. The heart usually rests between two consecutive beats, during which the pressure in the arteries decreases. The force of blood against arterial walls during rest is called diastolic pressure. When a Fort Worth internist takes your blood pressure, the reading comprises systolic and diastolic pressure, a fraction of the former on top of the latter. For example, a 120/80 mmHg reading would mean that the systolic pressure is 120 mmHg, and that of diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg. A systolic pressure higher than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure above 80 mmHg is high blood pressure and might indicate other heart risk factors.
What is the procedure for the diagnosis of high blood pressure?
Most patients with high blood pressure do not exhibit symptoms until their condition reaches severe stages. For this reason, care providers insist on the importance of regular blood pressure checks to detect any concerns before complications develop. Your doctor will use a gauge, a blood pressure cuff, a stethoscope, and an electronic sensor to check your blood pressure status. You might need additional appointments before your doctor confirms a diagnosis.
What are the main types of high blood pressure?
The two main types of high blood pressure include:
- Primary high blood pressure: This condition is the most prevalent. Primary high blood pressure develops over time due to poor lifestyle choices.
- Secondary high blood pressure: This condition develops as a symptom of another medical condition. Fortunately, treating the underlying cause will lower your blood pressure. Another cause of secondary high blood pressure is the consumption of specific medication. Your blood pressure will get back to normal when you stop taking the medicines.
What are the treatments for high blood pressure?
It is essential to get medical intervention that will treat your high blood pressure because if you do not take care of this concern, it might lead to your heart working harder and thus cause serious heart problems like stroke. Some of the most effective treatments for high blood pressure include:
- Changing your lifestyle: Your doctor will recommend a specific diet and exercise that will help manage your weight and maintain the health of your heart. Some of the things you can do are ensure your meals have nutritional balance. Patients who get in a regular workout routine promote cardiovascular health.
- Medications: Your doctor may recommend medicines if diet and exercise have failed to provide relief. It is essential to get a doctor’s prescription because the type of medications you will need will depend on your age and the type of high blood pressure. Some of the medicines you might need include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Contact Clover Internal Medicine Associates to discover other treatment options to lower your blood pressure and improve your well-being.
