High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is a serious condition that forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to other parts of the body than should be necessary, and increases stress on all arteries in the body, making them susceptible to damage.
People suffering from hypertension often will not exhibit any symptoms in early stages, but high blood pressure can damage the heart even before symptoms develop.
Know the Facts about Hypertension
Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to chronic heart and heart-related disease and complications, including:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Kidney disease
- Vision deterioration
- Sexual dysfunction
Approximately 50% of people with untreated hypertension die of heart disease and another third die of stroke.
Causes of Hypertension
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Excess salt in diet
- Stress
- Lack of exercise or other physical activity
- Age
- Genetics
- Family history
- Chronic kidney disease
- Thyroid and adrenal disorders
There may be more than just High Blood Pressure
Oftentimes, people with high blood pressure have other serious diseases that also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke:
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes)
- Sleep apnea
High Blood Pressure is Best Managed Early
The good news is high blood pressure that is diagnosed and treated early on – through medication and lifestyle changes – can significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Take Care of Your Blood Pressure, Especially When There is End Organ Damage
It is particularly important to achieve good control of your blood pressure after a heart attack or stroke – not only to reduce the risk of another one, but also to prevent other problems from getting worse. Once a person has had damage to one part of the body, they are at increased risk for other problems, and taking care of all medical issues becomes even more important.
Regular Blood Pressure Checks
At our office, Dr. Fink checks blood pressure levels at each appointment as well as during annual physicals. Anyone experiencing symptoms that could be indicators of high blood pressure should call to make an appointment for a blood pressure check and treatment recommendations.
