What is hypertension?
Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, occurs when your blood consistently hits your blood vessel walls too forcefully. High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that, if untreated, could lead to stroke, heart attack, or even death.
Fortunately, you can take control of high blood pressure as soon as you're diagnosed. Your doctor at DePersia, Chernoff, & Ocasio PC can create a treatment plan to reduce your blood pressure to healthy levels.
What do the numbers mean?
Your blood pressure reading falls into one of the groups below. It's expressed as a pair of numbers, for example 119/79. Systolic is the first number and diastolic is the second.
- Normal blood pressure: less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic
- Elevated blood pressure: 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic
- Hypertensive crisis: 180 or higher systolic or higher than 120 diastolic
While you don't officially have hypertension until you have 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic, elevated blood pressure is still potentially dangerous. If you have consistently elevated blood pressure, your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes to help you avoid developing hypertension later.
What are the signs of hypertension?
Hypertension is usually symptomless until your blood pressure is extremely high or you're in hypertensive crisis. Due to this, it's especially vital that you have wellness visits with your DePersia, Chernoff, & Ocasio PC doctor on a regular basis.
During wellness visits, your doctor evaluates your risk factors and monitors your blood pressure to compare it to past readings. Some of the main risk factors for hypertension include obesity, smoking, and having a family history of hypertension.
What's the treatment for hypertension?
Hypertension treatment depends on how high your blood pressure is, whether you've ever had a hypertensive crisis, your current health issues, and other individual factors. You may need medication to lower your blood pressure, especially if you have very high blood pressure.
However, lifestyle changes may be enough to reduce your blood pressure. Your doctor at DePersia, Chernoff, & Ocasio PC may recommend weight loss, regular exercise, stress reduction, and other non-medication measures to get your blood pressure into a healthy range again.
If you're worried about your blood pressure, stop worrying and take action to lower it. Use online booking or call for your appointment.
