OVERVIEW

One common ailment that affects the body’s arteries is high blood pressure. Another name for it is hypertension. The blood’s constant excessive force against the arterial walls is a sign of high blood pressure. To pump blood, the heart has to work harder.

Millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg, are used to measure blood pressure. A blood pressure measurement of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater is generally considered hypertension.

Any blood pressure reading greater than 180/120 mm Hg is regarded as a hypertensive crisis or emergency. In the event that someone has these blood pressure values, get emergency medical attention.

SYMPTOMS

Even when blood pressure measurements rise to dangerously high levels, the majority of persons with high blood pressure do not exhibit any symptoms. Years can pass while you have high blood pressure and no symptoms.

A few people with high blood pressure may have:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

These symptoms aren’t particular, though. Usually, they don’t show up until high blood pressure gets to the point where it’s dangerous or life-threatening.

CAUSES

The quantity of blood the heart pumps and the resistance of the blood’s passage through the arteries are the two factors that influence blood pressure. The blood pressure rises with the amount of blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries.

TREATMENT

Available treatments we offer, include but are not limited to:

• ACE inhibitors
• ARBs
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics
• Beta-blockers

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertension are:

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Lisinopril (Zestril)
• Losartan
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor)
• Enalapril
• Valsartan

Your medical history, current ailments, and other medications you may be taking will all play a role in the precise prescription or combination of medications that are given. The optimal course of action for treating your hypertension should be decided in close consultation with your healthcare provider. Be careful to incorporate healthy lifestyle modifications to complement your medication regimen. This will lower your risk of complications and help you regulate your blood pressure more efficiently.