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.
