Hypertension

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that involves an increased force of blood against the walls of your arteries. When this pressure remains high over a prolonged period, it can cause serious health complications, like heart disease, a heart attack, or stroke.

There are two types of hypertension. In primary hypertension, there is no definitive cause of the increase in blood pressure. In secondary hypertension, you develop elevated blood pressure levels as the result of an underlying medical condition.

High blood pressure develops gradually over time and often doesn’t show any symptoms until the pressure reaches dangerous levels.

What causes secondary hypertension?

High blood pressure resulting from existing medical conditions can appear suddenly and lead to higher blood pressure readings than primary hypertension.

Potential causes of secondary hypertension include:

• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney dysfunction
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Birth defects in the blood vessels

Use of certain medications, including cold medicines and birth control pills, can also cause elevated blood pressure levels.

What are my risk factors for hypertension?

You may be at increased risk of developing hypertension as you get older and if you have a family history of the condition.

Other risk factors for hypertension include:

• Being overweight
• Using tobacco products
• Consuming too much salt
• Lack of daily physical activity

Heavy alcohol use can also result in high blood pressure and cause damage to the heart and other organs.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Dr. Mbakwe can diagnose hypertension through a simple blood pressure test. In many with high blood pressure, there no signs of blood pressure problems. Dr. Mbakwe often detects the condition during routine medical examinations.

For this reason, it’s important to have an annual physical examination that allows Dr. Mbakwe to monitor your blood pressure and other issues that affect your overall health and well-being.

What are the treatment options for hypertension?

Initially, Dr. Mbakwe may recommend lifestyle changes to naturally reduce your blood pressure, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and reducing your levels of stress.

If these changes aren’t effective in reducing your blood pressure, Dr. Mbakwe may prescribe medications to open your blood vessels and improve overall blood flow.

To monitor your blood pressure levels, Dr. Mbakwe schedules routine follow-up visits to take blood pressure readings. She may also recommend checking your blood pressure levels at home.

To find out more about treatment options for primary or secondary hypertension, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mbakwe using the online booking feature or by calling the Statesboro office today.