Dr. Sue Mitra
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High blood pressure carries a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure is the third leading cause of death in the United States
Nearly half of the adult US population has high blood pressure, also known as high blood pressure.
This month’s focus is on educating people about high blood pressure and reducing and managing risk factors.
High blood pressure puts pressure on the circulatory system, increasing the risks of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, etc…
Risk factors for high blood pressure include increased age, family history, genetic factors, obesity and being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, diet high in saturated fats and salt, stress, diabetes, pregnancy, and sleep apnea.
The previous three columns of Dr. Mitra:
Tummy ache?:Does your stomach hurt regularly? It could be irritable bowel syndrome
Know the signs of a stroke:The sooner they are treated, the better the chance of recovery
Kidney health:Your kidneys are doing more than you realize; Make sure you take care of them
The heart pumps oxygenated blood to various vital organs in the body.
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood that pushes against the walls of the arteries.
Arteries carry blood from your heart to various parts of your body.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers, systolic and diastolic.
The top number is known as systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts.
The bottom number is known as your diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.
Persistent high blood pressure can cause stress on the artery walls that can lead to various health problems, which can be life-threatening.
High blood pressure is a silent killer that often does not cause symptoms, so regular screening can help a person detect and treat the condition early.
High blood pressure is a potentially serious condition that usually has no symptoms but can lead to heart attack, stroke and other life-threatening conditions.
Your goal is to maintain a healthy blood pressure of less than 120 and above 80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure ranges from 130-139 to 80-89 mm Hg or higher, you should talk to your doctor.
Once the blood pressure reaches around 180/120 mm Hg, it becomes a hypertensive crisis and is a medical emergency. You may experience dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred or double vision and nosebleeds.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.
There are different devices for measuring blood pressure. You can use a digital device or a manual sphygmomanometer with a stethoscope.
You will usually need more than one reading to confirm the diagnosis, as various factors affect the outcome.
Blood pressure can fluctuate at different times of the day, while feeling anxious or stressed, or even after eating.
Additional tests that can help confirm the diagnosis include urine, blood tests, and an EKG.
There are different ways to lower blood pressure.
Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure.
Regular physical activity, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercise per week, can lower blood pressure.
Eating a low-sodium diet and a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can improve heart health and lower blood pressure.
Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, quitting smoking, and reducing stress also help control blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is difficult to control through lifestyle and diet modifications, your doctor will recommend medication.
Options may vary over time, depending on how severe your high blood pressure is and whether there are complications.
Possible complications of high blood pressure are heart failure, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysm, kidney disease, stroke, and vascular dementia.
Seeking early treatment and controlling blood pressure helps prevent many of these complications. So, get to know your numbers.
This month we celebrate National Blood Pressure Awareness Month by raising your awareness and staying informed of all aspects of high blood pressure.
To learn more about awareness of hypertension, call Dr. Sue Mitra, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, at 321-622-6222. You can also visit her at www.suemitra.com and make an appointment.
2022-05-10 09:10:44