Hypertension

What is hypertension? 

Hypertension occurs when the force of your blood pushing against your body’s blood vessels is consistently too high. It’s also called high blood pressure, a dangerous condition that, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems. 

The most prominent way hypertension harms you is by increasing the workload of your heart and blood vessels. Eventually, the pressure and friction of hypertension damage the tissues inside your arteries. High cholesterol, which forms plaque that clogs your arteries, can also cause hypertension. This clogging further raises your blood pressure and causes more harm to your heart, arteries, and the rest of your body. 

How do I know if I have hypertension? 

The scary thing about hypertension is that it’s hard to detect. More than half of American adults have hypertension, but many don’t even know it. This has led to it being dubbed “the silent killer.” 

In some cases, hypertension may result in signs and symptoms, such as: 

• Severe headaches
• Fatigue 
• Vision problems
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Bloody urine

However, most of these symptoms don’t occur until your blood pressure is extremely high. The best way to monitor your blood pressure and catch a hypertension diagnosis early on when it’s easier to treat is to come in regularly for blood pressure tests. These are routine during checkups and physicals. 

What causes hypertension? 

Here are some of the most common causes of hypertension: 

• High salt intake
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Substance abuse (alcohol)
• Age (risk increases sharply at 40)
• Genetics

The best defense against hypertension is leading an active, healthy lifestyle. It’s also important to monitor your blood pressure levels consistently. 

How is hypertension treated? 

No two patients are alike, therefore no two treatment regimens are the same. Dr. Raccuglia prides himself on offering individualized treatment plans that take into account the details of your diagnosis. 

Using blood tests, physical exams, discussions about your lifestyle, and a review of your family history, Dr. Raccuglia works closely with you to develop a long-term hypertension management care plan. 

In most cases, managing hypertension involves a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, and nutrition planning. Dr. Raccuglia monitors your condition closely and is always available to help with specifics. 

To learn more about hypertension and its treatment, call the office to speak with a friendly team member or book an appointment online today.