At QwikCareMD and Comfort Care Family Practice, we understand how to prevent Hypertension

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Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects 30% of adults In the United States.  According to the CDC, 68 million adults in the US suffered from hypertension (CDC March 6, 2013).

Blood pressure is measured twice during a normal heartbeat.  The first measurement (systolic) is taken when the heart is contracting and the pressure is at its maximum.  The second measurement (diastolic) is taken when the heart is resting between beats and the pressure is at its minimum.  You are generally considered hypertensive if your systolic (upper) number is 140 or greater OR if your diastolic (lower) number is 90 or more.

Hypertension is a silent killer.  Typically you feel well even when your blood pressure is dangerously high.  This is one reason hypertension is so difficult to control.  We tend to ignore things that don’t hurt.  Hypertension can lead to heart failure (where the heart muscle no longer has the strength to pump your blood adequately), stroke (where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted), or aneurisms (where a blood vessel “blows out” like an old inner tube).  Hypertension can also affect vision (hypertensive retinopathy) and the kidneys (hypertensive nephropathy).

The best prevention for hypertension is to watch your weight and exercise at least 30 minutes per day.

 

It is almost always possible to adequately treat hypertension to delay or prevent complications.  The primary ways you can help yourself are with weight control and exercise.  There are many medications available to treat hypertension, but they must be taken on a daily basis.  You can’t skip your medications because “you don’t feel sick”.

If you are facing issues with Hypertension, give QwikCareMD Urgent Care or Comfort Care Family Practice a call or just stop in. We are here to help with any of your concerns. (719) 471-CARE (2273)