Archives for November 2019

Learn about Hypertension: Four Stages of Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force of blood being pushed through the arteries that carry blood from your heart and circulate it throughout your body. It is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day. However, blood pressure that stays high for a long period can be detrimental to health. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart failure, hypertension, and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in the United States.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition that 75 million American adults suffer from. Meanwhile, 1 in 3 American adults has prehypertension conditions. This means that their blood pressure is not within the normal range but not quite as high to be considered high blood pressure. If left uncontrolled, prehypertension will eventually become hypertension. Unfortunately, only 54% of the people who have hypertension have their condition under control.

Learn More About Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which blood is pushing into the arteries with higher force than normal. This can eventually damage artery walls and cause heart disease. You may have hypertension without showing any symptoms. This is why it’s important to get regular checkups so your family medicine provider can diagnose it early on.

There are two types of hypertension – primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary Hypertension is a type of high blood pressure in which there are no underlying conditions that cause it. It usually develops through the years due to aging, lifestyle choices, and poor diet. Meanwhile, secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that tends to appear suddenly due to medical conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, kidney conditions, illegal drugs, and thyroid problems.

An adult’s blood pressure is measured by using two numbers – upper systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure. The heart’s rhythmic pumping action creates the upper systolic pressure (normal is 120 mm. Hg. or lower), and its resting pressure between heartbeats is the lower diastolic pressure (normal is 80 mm. Hg. or lower). From this, family medicine providers can determine what stage of hypertension a patient has.

Here are the four stages of hypertension:

1. Normal Blood Pressure

If you have normal blood pressure, your reading is within the normal range. It is below 120/80 mm. Hg. Although you have normal blood pressure, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle so as not to increase your risk of developing hypertension.

2. Elevated Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg. Although it is still within range, it can be an indication that you are at risk of hypertension. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise to lower the risk of it developing into something more serious.

3. STAGE 1 Hypertension

When you have stage 1 hypertension, your blood pressure reading is between the range of 130/80 mm Hg or 139/89 mm Hg. It is best to consult with a family medicine provider immediately and find ways to lower it. If your blood pressure is this high, it might mean that there’s already slight damage to arteries and vessels.

4. STAGE 2 Hypertension

When you have stage 2 hypertension, your blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. If this happens, seek medical help immediately. You may need to start taking medication for maintenance and make radical changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Hypertension can be maintained and controlled with the help of your family medicine provider. Taking medication, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help you take control of the condition effectively.

Contact Advanced Medical Clinic in Wellington

For any heart health concerns, trust Advanced Medical Clinic to help you. Our expert practitioners and friendly staff can provide you with high-quality care that is tailored to your medical condition.

Call us at (561) 434-1935 and schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate family medicine providers today. You can also request an appointment online.

What Is a Dangerous High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood that is placed on the walls of the arteries and other blood vessels as it courses through the body. It is common for blood pressure to increase and decrease – but when the pressure rises to an unhealthy level for a long period of time, this is the state of having high blood pressure, also called hypertension.

In the United States, there are approximately 75 million adults who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The condition is especially linked to heart disease and stroke, which is a great concern because they are the first and third leading cause of death, respectively.

There are also millions of Americans who have high blood pressure and do not realize it. This underscores the importance of having your blood pressure checked by a family medicine provider on a regular basis to ensure optimum health. Let’s talk about what blood pressure is and what can cause it to become higher than normal.

What Do the Blood Pressure Numbers Mean? 

A blood pressure test is quick and easy, and it determines your systolic and diastolic pressure. When read, the systolic number is first, and the diastolic pressure is second. The systolic number represents the pressure on your blood vessel walls when your heart beats; the diastolic pressure is the pressure between beats.

A normal blood pressure is less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic (120/80, or “120 over 80”). High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

It is entirely possible to have dangerously high blood pressure and not even know it. However, most people with this condition tend to experience occasional bouts of shortness of breath, headaches, and even nosebleeds. By the time these symptoms occur, high blood pressure has become severe – see a family medicine provider right away for an evaluation.

In addition to a medical history, a blood pressure check is a normal part of every health checkup. In between family medicine providers’ visits, you may be tempted to check your own blood pressure at blood pressure machines that are sometimes located in grocery stores or pharmacies – however, these machines are not completely trustworthy. The blood pressure machine in the family medicine provider’s office is much more accurate.

Who Is at Risk of High Blood Pressure?

There are several factors that affect blood pressure, including heredity, obesity, a lack of exercise, and smoking. Let’s take a look at some of these contributing factors:

  • Excess weight requires the blood to work harder to supply oxygen throughout the body. Plus, pressure on the artery walls is increased as the volume of blood being circulated is increased.
  • Exercise lowers a person’s heart rate, which lowers blood pressure. Conversely, a lack of exercise can cause a higher heart rate, causing the heart to work harder.
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco raises blood pressure. Additionally, arteries are susceptible to damage from the chemicals found in cigarettes and tobacco products.
  • Ordinary table salt affects blood pressure. Too much salt/sodium increases fluid that is retained in the body, which also causes blood pressure to rise.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption affects blood pressure and can cause damage to the heart. For men, more than two drinks a day could negatively affect blood pressure, and more than one drink each day will have an effect on a woman’s blood pressure.

There are factors that can contribute to a person’s susceptibility to high blood pressure which are beyond our control:

  • People of African heritage are more likely to develop high blood pressure, and are more susceptible to the condition at an earlier age, than those of other races.
  • Diabetes, kidney disease, and certain other chronic health conditions can negatively affect blood pressure.

Family Medicine Provider in Wellington, FL

If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, we’ll make it easy for you: Walk-ins and same-day appointments are welcome here at Advanced Medical Clinic. Our offices are located in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach for your convenience.

Call us today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to seeing you here!