You might have hypertension and have no idea. That’s because in most cases, hypertension causes no noticeable symptoms.
Nearly half of Americans have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Though you may not think hypertension is a big deal, if left untreated, it can lead to serious health conditions or even death – over 500,000 people died from it in 2019. That’s why it's incredibly important to get a yearly physical to monitor any health changes.
The Texas Wellness Center, located in Richmond, Texas, puts your health front and center. We’re here to explain some of the warning signs of hypertension, so you know when to seek treatment.
Your heart has an important job. Blood pressure depends on the volume of blood your heart pumps and its resistance to the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against your arteries is too high.
Blood pressure readings contain two numbers: the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. The first number, systolic blood pressure, refers to the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in between beats when your heart is at rest.
A healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 or less. Hypertension refers to a reading of higher than 130/80.
As previously mentioned, a majority of people with hypertension have no symptoms at all. Most people find out they have hypertension by accident. They go to the doctor for back pain or a cold and find out they have high blood pressure in the process.
In rare cases when hypertension is severe, here are the warning signs to look for:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. These are warning signs that hypertension has caused ongoing damage to your body.
Hypertension can cause havoc on your body for years before you even know you have it. Uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to a disability, more serious health condition, or even death.
If left untreated, hypertension can lead to:
Although hypertension is not curable, it’s treatable. Many people living with hypertension live a happy and healthy life with treatment.
Learning you have hypertension is something no one wants to hear. Luckily, there are many ways you can keep your blood pressure within healthy levels.
Ijeoma Linda Bethel, DNP, APRN and Nick Bryant Villegas, DNP, APRN usually suggest lifestyle changes as your first line of treatment. These may include:
If you’ve tried these lifestyle changes for three to six months with no to little improvement, Dr. Ijeoma Bethel and Dr. Nick Villegas may suggest medication instead. From beta-blockers to diuretics, there are a variety of different medications that can effectively lower your blood pressure.
Are you ready for your yearly check-up? Call 361-298-3362, or book online.
