Hypertension, which means high blood pressure, is caused by a number of different factors; some of the same factors that cause heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. These factors include smoking, being overweight or obese, a high-sodium diet, too little physical activity, diabetes, and having a family history of hypertension.
The effects of Hypertension are commonly felt by the body when your blood pressure reading is consistently above 140/90mmHg. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Flushing of the skin
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
When you visit us at Neighborhood Medical Center, we can diagnose your risk of hypertension by taking your blood pressure and taking into account your family history and lifestyle factors.
Treatment options for hypertension may include lifestyle changes, such as decreasing salt and alcohol intake, exercising regularly, reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, and quitting smoking. Additionally, a doctor may prescribe blood pressure-lowering medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics.