Hypertension

Peak Heart & Vascular

Multispecialty Cardiovascular Group located in Laveen, Surprise, Avondale, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, AZ

Many people don’t realize they have high blood pressure or hypertension because it rarely causes symptoms. Unfortunately, untreated hypertension can cause severe medical complications, some of which could endanger your life. The team at Peak Heart & Vascular can diagnose and help you manage your hypertension. Don’t wait to find out if you have hypertension the hard way, by discovering it has already harmed your health and safety. Schedule an evaluation with an outstanding provider by calling the Laveen, Surprise, Avondale, Flagstaff, or Phoenix, Arizona, office today, or booking online.

Hypertension Q & A

What is hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the pressure within your blood vessel walls becomes elevated above normal levels. Known as the “silent killer,” hypertension rarely causes symptoms; you might not even know that you have it until it has caused life-threatening health complications. 

The good news is that you can take steps to lower your blood pressure so you can avoid the dangerous medical conditions associated with hypertension.

Which medical conditions arise due to hypertension?

Elevated blood pressure eventually damages your blood vessels. It makes them thicken and become narrow, so your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your circulatory system. That increases the pressure in the blood vessels even more, putting more strain on your heart.

Left untreated, hypertension can contribute to severe health conditions, including:

  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Aneurysm
  • Stroke
  • Kidney damage
  • Diabetes
  • Dementia

Smoking, insufficient exercise, and a family history of hypertension increase your risk for the disease. You also have an increased risk if you’re over the age of 65.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose hypertension before it seriously impacts your health is to have routine checkups so your provider can monitor your blood pressure. A blood pressure cuff test measures your systolic pressure when your heart beats and diastolic pressure in-between heartbeats. A blood pressure reading includes first the systolic number, then the diastolic number.

Normal blood pressure resides below 120/80. If your numbers are slightly above normal, your provider might tell you that you have elevated blood pressure. If your numbers increase, you move into stage 1, then stage 2 hypertension.

If you have elevated blood pressure or hypertension, Peak Heart & Vascular may recommend more frequent blood pressure checks.

What are the treatment options for hypertension?

In the earlier stages, lifestyle changes can make a big difference in lowering your blood pressure. Your compassionate expert at Peak Heart & Vascular may suggest reducing your salt intake and making more healthy food choices. They may also recommend getting more exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, or quitting smoking.

In some cases, your provider may prescribe medication, such as diuretics or beta-blockers, to help control your blood pressure, in addition to developing healthy lifestyle habits.

Schedule a hypertension evaluation with an experienced provider at Peak Heart & Vascular by calling the office today, or request an appointment online.