Hypertension

What to Expect from a Top Dr. in Wellington

Wellington, among the most sought-after communities in Palm Beach County, FL, boasts a network of highly regarded and personable primary care physicians. Whether you are new to the area or just planning to move to this vibrant community, you will easily find one who not only provides high-quality care but is also passionate about building a lasting partnership with you, one that is grounded in trust, integrity, and a shared commitment to your well-being.

Below, you will find the qualities, values, and philosophies you can expect from a top primary care doctor in Wellington.

 

Holistic, Personalized Care

A top primary care doctor treats you as a whole person, taking all aspects of your health into consideration. They carefully assess your lifestyle, mental health, stress levels, family dynamics, and personal goals. Rather than offering generic advice, they create your care plan with your unique circumstances, preferences, and health needs in mind.

For example, if you are managing a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, the doctor may work with you on customized nutrition strategies, realistic exercise routines, and targeted stress reduction techniques, all aligned with your daily routine. They also take the time to get to know you, building trust so that your care is both effective and supportive.

A Focus on Preventive Care

One of the hallmarks of a top primary care doctor in Wellington is their focus on preventive health care. They encourage regular screenings, discuss lifestyle changes, and educate you about the life-saving importance of vaccines. Preventive care is instrumental in stopping health issues before they turn into major problems. It essentially helps you safeguard your overall health, maintain your quality of life, and boost your longevity.

Transparency and Integrity

Top doctors value transparency and integrity. They do not recommend unnecessary tests or push treatments that do not truly benefit you. They are forthright about risks, realistic about outcomes, and clear about costs.

A top primary care doctor is known for their honesty and their commitment to ethical care. You can feel confident that their decisions are based on what is best for you—and not on what will benefit their bottom line.

Promptness and Respect for Your Time

Very few things are more frustrating than sitting in a waiting room for hours, only to be seen by your doctor for less than 5 minutes.

A top primary care doctor values your time just as much as they do their own. This means they strive to keep wait times minimal and avoid rushing through appointments. Whether you are in for a routine checkup or to discuss a complex health concern, a good primary care doctor respects your time and gives you their undivided attention. They do not dictate how much time they spend with you during each visit—your needs do.

Active Listening and Clear Communication

A top primary care doctor is not someone who just nods along while you talk, only to hand you a prescription the moment you finish speaking. The best ones are, above all, attentive listeners. They ask thoughtful questions, make an effort to understand your concerns, and ensure you never feel dismissed or like you are being dramatic.

A reliable primary care doctor also communicates effectively. They take the time to thoroughly explain your diagnosis, treatment options, and test results in plain terms, and they answer your questions with no hesitation or judgment. They see to it that you walk out of their office informed and confident, not uncertain or confused.

Commitment to Continuity of Care

Another hallmark of a top primary care doctor is their commitment to continuity of care. Rather than treating each visit as an isolated transaction, they view it as part of a continuous and evolving process that deserves consistent attention and thoughtful follow-up.

You may notice the doctor remembers your health milestones, asks about developments since your last appointment, and adjusts your care plan proactively as your needs change. You do not have to rehash your entire medical history each time, and you feel seen and valued. Over time, the doctor becomes your advocate, celebrating your small victories and developing strategies along the way to ensure your health stays on a steady, upward trajectory.

Top Doctor in Wellington, FL

If you are wondering where you can find an exceptional primary care doctor in Wellington, FL, the answer is right here at Advanced Medical Clinic.

Our team is led by Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, a highly credentialed internal medicine physician who has dedicated his career to helping the men and women in our community achieve optimal health and well-being through comprehensive, personalized, and compassionate care.

Experience the difference Dr. Gunawardene can make in your health and quality of life by arranging an appointment today. Contact us at (561) 434-1935 or use this convenient and secure form.

Understanding Preventative Care

When people think of medical care, the most common image that comes to mind is family medicine providers providing medicine or performing surgery. However, the best way to address a health condition is to detect it early, while it is still a minor problem — or prevent it from occurring at all.

Preventative care is a proactive medical approach that, if done well, will often go unnoticed. It aims to equip you with the tools to avoid getting sick altogether.

Three Types of Preventative Care

Preventative care covers measures taken to prevent health conditions from developing. Sometimes, preventative care may involve treating a disease before any symptoms manifest at all.

Primary Prevention

Primary prevention involves using measures like vaccinations and healthy lifestyle choices to stop diseases before they happen. They also help prevent non-infectious health conditions from occurring. Primary prevention methods include:

  • Vaccinations: These give the body the tools to fight infectious diseases before they worsen. Vaccinations can turn life-threatening diseases into mere inconveniences, and patients might not even feel the symptoms of milder infections.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices: Helps cover things like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and ergonomic spaces. Living a healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and some heart conditions.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention techniques help primary care providers detect diseases and health conditions that already exist. However, they aim to discover these health conditions while they are still in their early stages and comparatively easy to treat.

Secondary prevention methods are covered by regular health screenings and check-ups. Seeing your provider for a wellness visit or annual physical is part of secondary prevention. Some other examples include:

Testing is crucial for catching diseases in their early, more treatable stages, often before symptoms are even noticeable. Secondary prevention also includes educating people about recognizing early signs of diseases and the importance of regular health check-ups.

Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention in healthcare involves managing health conditions that already exist and mitigating their effects. It aims to manage disease symptoms and prevent side effects.

Practicing tertiary prevention also involves daily management of a health condition, along with regular monitoring. Tertiary prevention methods help:

  1. Limit Physical and Mental Decline: Healthcare professionals will use physical therapy and other techniques to help rehabilitate a patient. Their goal is to help a patient live a fulfilling life both physically and mentally, particularly for those with chronic illnesses or who have undergone major surgeries.
  2. Prevent Complications: Some health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, create a risk for additional complications that make the condition worse or create other health issues.
  3. Support and Education: Primary care providers and other medical professionals will equip their patients with the knowledge to understand and manage their conditions on their own.
  4. Ongoing Monitoring and Treatment: Some health conditions require continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure the patient’s quality of life, and sometimes survival.

Benefits of Preventative Care

Early detection of illnesses through regular screenings can lead to more effective treatments. Detecting a disease early will often make surgery unnecessary, and even if surgery is the best course of action, it is often minimally invasive.

  1. Reducing the Risk of Chronic Diseases: Preventative care helps mitigate the development and progression of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer through early detection and lifestyle modifications.
  2. Early Detection and Treatment of Illnesses: Regular health screenings and medical check-ups enable the early identification of health issues, leading to more effective and less invasive treatment options.
  3. Cost-Effectiveness in Healthcare: By preventing or detecting diseases early, preventative care reduces the need for expensive treatments and hospitalizations, thereby lowering overall healthcare costs.
  4. Improving Quality of Life and Longevity: Through proactive health measures, individuals can enjoy a higher quality of life with fewer health complications and increased lifespan.

Preventative Care Across Different Life Stages

Preventative care strategies vary across life stages. The kind of care a person needs and should receive varies depending on their age and health.

  • Childhood and Adolescence: This stage emphasizes vaccinations, developmental screenings, and education on healthy habits.
  • Adulthood: Adults need regular screenings, such as blood tests.
  • Senior Years: Primary care providers shift their focus to screening for age-related conditions such as arthritis.
  • Special Considerations: Women’s and men’s health require tailored approaches, including reproductive health and sex-specific screenings.

Primary Care Near Me in Wellington, FL

Preventative care is a proactive approach to maintaining health and well-being. It does two things: it prevents disease and encourages people to be more proactive about their health and lifestyles.

Proactive health management begins with you. Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and staying informed are all things you can do that benefit yourself and your health. Consult with us at the Advanced Medical Clinic about which preventative services are best for your lifestyle.

Embrace preventative care – your future self will thank you. Call us at (561) 434-1935 or book an appointment through our website.

The Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a long-term health condition that can result in severe complications. According to an estimate, about half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but surprisingly, many may not know they have it. It is also named “silent killer” because sometimes the damage due to high blood pressure may occur without you experiencing any signs and symptoms.

Let’s take a deeper look into hypertension, its stages, its signs and symptoms, and where you can go to get yourself evaluated for hypertension if you are located in Royal Palm Beach.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is when the force with which the blood pushes against the walls of blood vessels consistently remains too high. The blood pressure reading is two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure while the bottom is known as diastolic blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart contracts or beats. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure on your blood vessel walls when the heart is relaxing between the beats.

Ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is when blood pressure is consistently higher than the normal range. It has three stages:

  • Stage 1 hypertension – A blood pressure between 130/80mmHg to 139/89mmHg
  • Stage 2 hypertension – A blood pressure that is 140mmHg or higher consistently
  • Hypertensive crisis – A blood pressure that is 180/120mmHg or higher

Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

Most people stay unaware of a dangerously high level of blood pressure reading because of no signs and symptoms. A high blood pressure that goes unnoticed for a prolonged period can damage many important organs such as the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, etc. This is why it is important to measure your blood pressure regularly.

Rarely, a rise in blood pressure may manifest itself in the form of:

  • Morning headaches
  • Nosebleed
  • Sweating
  • Irregular heart rhythm
  • Vision changes
  • Buzzing in ears

According to the World Health Organization, severe hypertension can have signs and symptoms like:

What Can You Do?

The procedure to measure your blood pressure is quick and painless. You can measure it at home using automated devices or ask a healthcare professional to measure it.

Measuring blood pressure every year is a must if you are between the age of 18 to 39. Your healthcare professional, especially your family care provider, may also recommend you measure your blood pressure more frequently if you have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

If you measure blood pressure at home and notice any abnormality, visit your primary care provider for further evaluation and diagnosis.

Hypertension in Royal Palm Beach

Hypertension can severely affect your overall health and well-being. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure and want to get yourself evaluated, visit our compassionate healthcare providers at Advanced Medical Clinic. We are experts in diagnosing and treating long-term health issues like hypertension. We will also educate you on how to prevent hypertension from occurring if you are at risk for it.

To make an appointment with one of our healthcare providers, call our staff today at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment now by filling out our online form.

Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypertension affects roughly 47 percent of the American adult population, and about 400,000 people succumb to the condition every year.

A person is considered hypertensive if their blood pressure chronically exceeds 130/80 mmHg, Hypertension puts anyone at a greater risk for potentially life-threatening complications, such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Whether you suspect that you have hypertension or you have the risk factors for it (e.g., diabetes, excess weight problem, or unhealthy lifestyle habits), knowledge is crucial for keeping it under control and maintaining your quality of life.

Below, we’ve provided some information about hypertension, particularly its causes, symptoms, and treatment to give you a better understanding of this deadly condition.

Causes of Hypertension

Hypertension is broken down into two types: primary (essential) and secondary. The potential causes of high blood pressure vary, depending on the type, as outlined below:

  • Primary hypertension – This type has no identifiable cause but is thought to be linked to a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, genetics, and obesity.
  • Secondary hypertension – This type is ascribed to other medical conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), thyroid problems, kidney disease, or adrenal gland tumors.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension has been dubbed by experts “the silent killer” and for a good reason: a person can have hypertension for years and not know it. It often doesn’t have symptoms, and if it does, they are often mistakenly attributed to other conditions.

If you experience the following, see your primary care provider for a blood pressure check:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Nose bleeds
  • Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, and abdomen
  • Vision problems
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Hypertension requires vigilance to prevent hypertensive crisis, a medical emergency characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure. This is usually caused by nonadherence to the treatment plan, severe stress or anxiety, and other conditions.

Below are the common signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. If you experience any or some of these, time is of the essence – go to your nearest emergency room or call 911 for prompt intervention.

  • Blood pressure of 180/120 or higher
  • Nosebleeds
  • Seizures
  • Severe chest pain, especially if it occurs with sweating, nausea or vomiting, rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, etc.
  • Sudden or severe headache, especially if accompanied by blurred vision and/or unilateral paralysis of the face or extremities

Treatment for Hypertension

Managing hypertension involves routine screenings, monitoring and coordinating treatment, checkups, and patient education.

Medications are the mainstay of treatment for hypertension. Your primary care provider may prescribe a diuretic (medications to expel excess salt and water from the body) or a combination of a diuretic and either an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (medication to relax your blood vessels) or a beta-blocker (medication to lower your blood pressure).

Your family medicine provider will also likely give you dietary and lifestyle recommendations, such as the following, to ensure your condition is properly managed:

  • Consuming a low-fat and low-sodium diet
  • Engaging in regular physical activity
  • Lowering or avoiding caffeine and alcohol intake altogether
  • Managing stress levels
  • Monitoring your blood pressure at home
  • Quitting smoking
  • Visiting your primary care provider regularly

Hypertension Treatment in Wellington, FL

For top-notch hypertension treatment and management in the Wellington, Florida area, visit us here at Advanced Medical. Our team is led by two board-certified primary care providers who are best known for their comprehensive and compassionate approach to care and commitment to guiding patients along the path to optimal health and wellness.

To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call our office today at (561) 434-1935 or use our convenient online appointment request form.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

A rise and fall in your body’s blood pressure is something to be taken seriously. This can happen throughout the day, depending on your activity and physical state. When you have high blood pressure, you are at risk of other life-threatening medical problems. High blood pressure can also occur with other health conditions, such as arthritis.

You can manage your health better by knowing the causes of various conditions. Continue reading to find out more about the causes of high blood pressure.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is abnormally high systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These two numbers indicate the pressure in the arteries, the vessels carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Systolic blood pressure is the first or higher number. It measures the pressure when the heart beats. Meanwhile, diastolic pressure, the second number, measures the pressure between beats, when the heart rests. Your primary care provider can determine if you have high blood pressure based on blood pressure readings that check these numbers.

This condition usually has no severe symptoms, particularly in the early stages. You may feel headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath when your blood pressure becomes severely high.

Types and Causes of High Blood Pressure

There are two types of high blood pressure, depending on the cause. Your family primary care provider may examine your medical history to determine what causes your hypertension.

●     Primary Hypertension

Most adults suffer from primary or essential hypertension. This type of high blood pressure has no definite cause and gradually develops over time.

●     Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension appears more suddenly. This type of hypertension occurs because of another underlying medical condition in the heart, kidneys, or endocrine system. Examples are arthritis, thyroid problems, problems in blood vessels, obstructive sleep apnea, and more.

Risk Factors Causing High Blood Pressure

Some factors increase the likelihood of having high blood pressure. Although these do not directly cause hypertension, you should monitor your blood pressure closely if you are associated with these risk factors:

●     Age and Gender

Hypertension can affect people at any age. However, the likelihood of acquiring it increases as you get older. Although less common, children may also suffer from hypertension. Poor lifestyle habits and kidney or heart problems can contribute to hypertension in the younger population.

●     Family History and Race

Genetics can play a significant role in developing high blood pressure. Hypertension tends to run in families. According to studies, people of African descent may also develop the condition earlier than others. They are also more likely to develop serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

●     Physical Activity

Physical inactivity is generally associated with a higher heart rate. It causes the heart to work harder and produce more intense contractions, leading to hypertension.

●     Weight

Increased weight means the body needs more blood supply and oxygen. When there is increased blood flow in the arteries, the pressure against the artery walls may also increase.

●     Diet

The nutrients in your diet, such as sodium and potassium, can affect your blood pressure. Too much sodium or salt can promote fluid retention in your body, resulting in increased blood pressure. Low potassium levels due to improper diet or dehydration can lead to sodium buildup in the blood.

●     Use of Tobacco and Drinking Alcohol

The use of tobacco products does not only temporarily raise your body’s blood pressure immediately, it can also cause the narrowing of artery walls, leading to permanent damage. Alcohol consumption can also lead to heart damage, especially if the intake is more than one to two drinks a day.

●     Stress

High levels of stress are associated with a temporary spike in blood pressure. Stress-related habits or coping mechanisms such as binge eating, smoking, or drinking alcohol can also cause a permanent increase in blood pressure.

●     Pregnancy

Pregnant women may suffer from gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension, or preeclampsia. This condition can pose serious risks before, during, and after birth.

●     Use of Certain Medications

Some birth control pills, pain relievers, cold medications, decongestants, and prescription drugs may affect the body’s blood pressure. Illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can also cause hypertension.

Treatment For High Blood Pressure and Arthritis in Wellington, FL

High blood pressure affects your overall health in many ways. It should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. To get the best medical treatment for hypertension, you should always listen to the experts. Primary care providers are the trusted and first-hand primary care providers who can help diagnose and treat your high blood pressure.

If you are looking for a clinic to help you with your high blood pressure, we at Advanced Medical Clinic offer medical services in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Our skilled family medicine providers and staff will surely accommodate your concerns, from diagnosis to treatment.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. You may call our friendly staff at (561) 434-1935 or fill out this online request form. We look forward to serving you.

Signs of Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 45% of adult Americans have high blood pressure. Moreover, only about 24% of those individuals have their hypertension under control.

Because hypertension can cause cardiovascular disease and organ failure, it is important to have it treated by a family medicine provider. Let’s talk about some of the main signs of high blood pressure and what you can do about it.

What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension does not always show obvious symptoms, but some of the initial warning signs include the following:

Shortness of Breath

If you find yourself having breathing difficulty even when you are not doing anything at all, you may have hypertension. This is the most common telltale sign for high blood pressure.

Shortness of breath occurs because the heart is having difficulty pushing oxygen-rich blood to the lungs. Moreover, you may have blocked or narrowed arteries in the lungs, in which case the body is not getting enough oxygenated blood.

Blood in Urine

Also known as hematuria, blood in your urine can be a signal that you may have hypertension. It happens because your blood pressure affects your kidneys and vice versa. Kidneys work as filters for your blood, so if you have kidney problems, then you are also at risk for high blood pressure.

Vision Problems

Untreated hypertension can damage the blood vessels in your retina, which is the part of your eye that is responsible for sending neural signals to the brain for visual recognition. If you are experiencing sudden vision problems, seek immediate medical care by an experienced family medicine provider, as it may indicate severe hypertension or another underlying health condition.

Severe Headaches

High blood pressure can cause headaches because of the excessive pressure that it puts on the brain, leading to swelling. The headaches are likely to occur on both sides of the head and may pulsate and worsen when doing strenuous activities.

Vomiting

If vomiting comes along with your pulsating headache, then you may have hypertension. It may also be a symptom of stroke.

Nosebleed

While not a common sign or result of high blood pressure, having hypertension can make you more prone to having a bloody nose. Moreover, severe hypertension can cause your nose to bleed longer.

Seizure or Stroke

When left untreated, hypertension can progress to a hypertensive crisis, which is a severe increase in blood pressure. This can lead to a seizure or a stroke.

Blood Pressure Checks in Palm Beach County

Signs of hypertension rarely show until your condition is already severe, which then puts you at a greater risk of having a heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. That is why it is important to have regular checkups from your healthcare provider.

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we are here to be your healthcare partner. As a patient-centered and family-oriented clinic, we provide the best treatments curated for each patient.

To experience this kind of quality service, call us today at (561) 434-1935, or set an appointment online by filling out our appointment request form now. We look forward to seeing you here.

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.

How Hypertension Affects Women

Hypertension Define

If there is one cardiovascular risk every woman needs to be aware of it is hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Up until age 65, men and women are equally likely to have high blood pressure—but as we age the risk of high blood pressure in women increases dramatically. High blood pressure occurs when a high rate of blood is forced against the artery walls. Over time the high force of blood within the artery walls will result in health problems associated with high blood pressure. Blood pressure grows higher when the heart pumps excessive amounts of blood at a quick rate into narrow blood vessels.

Hypertension affects people differently. Symptoms vary, but by the time symptoms appear, it may be too late to avoid additional health problem; such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, blindness, heart failure and kidney disease.

Understanding your blood pressure reading is the first step in controlling high blood pressure. Two numbers measure blood pressure; the systolic is the upper number, and diastolic is the lower. Systolic measures the amount of blood in your arteries when the heart contracts. Diastolic measures the amount of blood in the arteries when the heart is between beats.

The American Heart Association places a normal blood pressure as less than 120 over 80.

Stages of Hypertension

If either the systolic or diastolic numbers are above the normal range, it is an indication that blood pressure is too high.

Hypertension Stage 1

  • 130-139 over 80-89.

Hypertension Stage 2

  • 140 or higher over 90 or higher

Hypertension Stage 3

  • More than 180 over higher than 120

Hypertension is bad news for anyone, but the negative effects on women are cause for concern. The American Heart Association claims that women account for nearly half of adults with high blood pressure. The fact that high blood pressure isn’t gender related doesn’t change the fact that women 65 years of age and older contract high blood pressure at a higher rate than men.

From pregnancy, right through menopause, women should take special care to know their blood pressure numbers so they can eliminate problems related to hypertension.

Family Planning

Women who take birth control pills are at risk of high blood pressure, especially if there’s a family history or if she had high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy. Weight is also a factor. This is true at any stage. There is a link between obesity and high blood pressure. High blood pressure doesn’t occur for all women taking birth control pills, but women who take birth control should definitely monitor their blood pressure. Before prescribing oral contraceptives, your family medicine provider should take your blood pressure. He or she should then apprise their patient of the risk.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women are susceptible to gestational hypertension, which occurs for some women after 20-weeks. Hypertension may have never been an issue prior to pregnancy, but this secondary condition of hypertension is actually caused by the pregnancy. Even though the condition will disappear after delivery, it is imperative that the mom is treated so that the danger is eliminated for her and her child. Gestational hypertension can trigger another dangerous illness related to pregnancy, pre-eclampsia or toxemia. Like hypertension, it begins about 20 weeks post baby delivery. The only cure for preeclampsia is for the baby to be born.

By the way, ACE inhibitors, drugs that fight high blood pressure, don’t mix well with pregnancy. Women should not take ACE inhibitors during pregnancy. Speak to your health professional about maintaining normal blood pressure during pregnancy.

Menopause

The chances of increasing normal blood pressure are likely with age, even if your blood pressure has always been normal. Menopausal women should monitor their blood pressure. Get your family medicine provider involved. Make regular visits, once every six months to have your pressure checked.

Monitoring blood pressure is crucial. Women who wish to stay healthy throughout their lives will do everything within their power to get and keep their blood pressure under control.

At Advanced Medical, PA, we pride ourselves in providing quality healthcare in both internal medicine and primary care. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule a visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment.

From the Family Medicine Providers Desk: The Complete Guide to Hypertension

Your blood pressure is a measure of how much pressure is exerted against your arteries and your organs by the blood being pumped by your heart. The higher the pressure, the harder your heart has to work. Hypertension is diagnosed when someone’s systolic blood pressure (top number) is consistently greater than 140, or their diastolic pressure (bottom number) is consistently greater than 90. This doesn’t mean that if you have a single reading that is high, you have hypertension. But if you do have such a reading, you should be monitored to make sure it comes back to normal.

There are some instances in which hypertension can be caused by another treatable problem, but about 95% of diagnosed people have essential hypertension, which often has no one identifiable cause. In these cases, there are a number of lifestyle choices that can be made to lower blood pressure, and in many instances, blood pressure medications will be needed. What is important to remember is that hypertension is a chronic illness. There are usually no symptoms, so there will be no warnings if it goes uncontrolled.  Once you are diagnosed, it is essential to follow your family medicine provider’s advice, continue a healthy lifestyle, and take your medications as prescribed for the rest of your life.

There are many things that contribute to hypertension – some factors you cannot control, while others you can. For instance, it is more common in men than women, more common in African American men, as well as older adults. Sometimes, hypertension can also be genetic, or hereditary. Obviously, these are things that you can’t control. However, being overweight or obese, being inactive, smoking, eating a diet high in sodium, and stress all contribute to hypertension; and these are things that you can control.

So what can you do to ensure that your blood pressure is under control? First, make sure that you have regular checkups with your family medicine provider. Since hypertension often goes undiagnosed, this is an important step in catching it early. Then, if you are found to have high blood pressure, take a look at the things that you can change in your life.

Your diet can have a great influence on your blood pressure. If your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 25, you should plan to lose weight. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain foods. Also limit the high fat foods, including meats. Fish is a great source of protein without all the fat that many cuts of beef contain. Stay away from fast food and limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per day. You should also limit the amount of caffeine you consume, restricting coffee to less than 2 cups per day. Also, make sure you lower your sodium intake. Anything canned, frozen, boxed or processed will tend to have more sodium. It is important to read labels, but fresh food is always a better choice. Make sure to also avoid foods high in sodium such as olives, soy sauce, Chinese food, bacon, and condiments. And put that saltshaker away!

In addition to diet, exercise will not only help you lose weight, but will help to keep your blood pressure regular. The recommendation is for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you are not active, start slow. Check with your family medicine provider before starting any exercise program, and walking is a great place to start. If you can’t tolerate 30 minutes per day, start with 10 or 15, but increase the time just a little each day until you meet your goal. And if you are a smoker, take a look at what that does, and stop smoking. Talk to your provider about this, because there are ways to help you kick the habit.

If you still have a blood pressure over 140/90 after making changes to your lifestyle, it may be time to start on medication. Your provider will determine which medication will be of most benefit. Sometimes you may need more than one prescription, but it is very important that you take all the medication as prescribed, every day. Remember, hypertension often has no symptoms; it is quietly doing damage to your heart and other organs. So don’t think that because you feel fine, that you don’t need your medication any more. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your provider. It is also a good idea to monitor your blood pressure at home from time to time, and keep a log to bring to your family medicine provider visits.

Finally, even if you are vigilant about your lifestyle, and about taking your medications, there may be times when your blood pressure is high enough to require emergency treatment. If you have a blood pressure higher than 180/110, or if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness, vision changes, problems speaking, or a severe headache, you should go to the emergency room or call 911.

If you would like to learn more about hypertension, you can visit the website of the American Heart Association. Advanced Medical has the caring and attentive medical staff you need to help monitor and treat conditions such as high blood pressure. Call today at (561) 434-1935 to schedule an appointment, or book an appointment online.

Hypertension. What You Don’t Know Could Kill You!

Known as the “silent killer,” hypertension does not necessarily present with symptoms; it often goes undetected, and therefore, untreated. The only way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to have it tested. Testing is both simple and painless and takes only a few minutes in a family medicine provider’s office.

Why is Hypertension Dangerous?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, high blood pressure increases your risk for a stroke or heart attack, the leading causes of death in the United States.  About one in every three adults will suffer at some time from high blood pressure.

That number breaks down to around 75 million people living with high blood pressure in the United States. Of those, approximately half have gotten their hypertension under control. Roughly 1,000 people die in the US each day with hypertension listed as a primary cause. Not only can high blood pressure lead to a heart attack, chronic heart failure or stroke, it can also damage other organs–including the kidneys, eyes, and brain.

When is Blood Pressure Considered High?

Blood pressure is considered high if the systolic number, which measures the heart at work, is 140 mmHg or higher and the diastolic, which measures the heart at rest, is 90 mmHg or higher. Although high blood pressure does not always present symptoms, it can cause symptoms such as dizziness, facial flushing or blood spots in the white of the eye from broken blood vessels. Some patients with extremely high blood pressure may also notice the sound of their heart beating in their ears. You should never wait for symptoms to arise to act on high blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly by a family medicine provider instead.

Both men and women are equally likely to develop high blood pressure at some point in their lives. For those under the age of 45, the risk is greater for men than woman. Over the age of 65, women are more likely to have high blood pressure than men. Race and ethnicity also play a role in who is at risk for hypertension. African Americans, for instance, are more likely to develop high blood pressure at an earlier age than their Caucasian counterparts.

How is High Blood Pressure Treated?

High blood pressure can usually be managed by a combination of medication, diet and exercise. Reducing your intake of salt, walking on a regular basis and eating a healthy diet have all been shown to reduce the risks of having high blood pressure. Additionally, your family medicine provider may prescribe any number of different medications to lower your blood pressure. The kind of medication and dose will depend on the severity of your symptoms as well as how well you respond to, or tolerate, a given medication.

If you are concerned about how hypertension is affecting your heart and other organs, board-certified internal medicine specialist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene of Advanced Medical Clinic can help. He will take the time to talk to you, answer your questions and prescribe the necessary medications or lifestyle changes necessary to lower your high blood pressure. To make an appointment with us in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, request an appointment online or call (561) 434-1935 today.