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High blood pressure or Hypertension is a common condition that affects the arteries of the body. In High blood pressure, the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently very high. As a result, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, or other serious health problems.
What causes high blood pressure?
There are several reasons why one can become a victim of high blood pressure. Mainly it is because your diet consists of high consumption of salt in your food and less consumption of vegetables and fruits. People above 65 and those that are overweight are more prone to getting high blood pressure. Apart from this high consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes also contributes to hypertension.
What are the types of High blood pressure?
There are mainly two types that doctors diagnose based on age or other medical conditions:
Primary high blood pressure is caused by aging and unhealthy habits like lack of sleep or diet.
Secondary high blood pressure is caused by different medical problems (for example kidney or hormonal problems) or sometimes a medication you’re taking.
How can you prevent getting high blood pressure?
One of the few things you can do by incorporating these into your daily routine so that you are not the victim of hypertension. Being physically active, daily walking,g, and jogging can be a way to a healthy lifestyle. Smoking highly contributes to hypertension which is why you must quit smoking and reduce caffeine intake. Obesity or excessive weight gain can lead to high cholesterol ultimately resulting in hypertension. Try to maintain your weight by keeping a healthy diet.
How to treat high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is treated based on the age, weight, and overall health of the patient. Mainly doctors recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle to maintain normal blood pressure. However, for severe blood pressure levels, doctors prescribe medication varying from patient to patient.
Some of the medications that doctors may prescribe are Water pills (diuretics). These drugs help remove sodium and water from the body. They are often the first medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers, these drugs help relax the muscles of the blood vessels as well as Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors which have the same function.
Seek emergency care if your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or higher and if you have any of the following symptoms:
Chest pain.
Chest pain.
Numbness or weakness.
Change in vision.
Difficulty speaking.
Severe headache.
In such cases, Family urgent care clinics provides ER services and has professionals who can provide immediate and definite care for high blood pressure. We entertain walk-in consultations, checkups and ER services. Contact us today for your family, and yourself. We have three locations, namely, Schererville Urgent Care Clinic, Lincoln Park Urgent care Clinic and Morse Urgent Care Clinic. Visit us today!
