High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, dramatically increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and even dementia, to name a few. If your blood pressure is on the rise, or if you’ve been struggling with high blood pressure for years, Dr. Yee and the team at Yee Medicine and Pediatric Associates can help. Book your hypertension evaluation at the Wyckoff or Englewood, New Jersey, by calling either office directly.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

Why do I have high blood pressure?

You need some pressure in your blood vessels. After all, blood has to circulate through your heart and be able to reach all the way down to your toes, and then back up. Some exertion from the pumping of your heart and muscles surrounding veins is essential. But too much pressure means that the force of blood against arterial walls becomes so great, fragile vessels can rupture, among other issues. You can develop high blood pressure because of: high sodium (salt) intake, low potassium intake, family history of hypertension, being overweight or obese, over the counter or prescription medications. While anyone can develop high blood pressure at any age, your chances are higher as you age.

Does high blood pressure cause symptoms?

Hypertension has sometimes been labelled as the silent killer. This is the reason primary reason your blood pressure every time you come in for a visit. There is generally no way to know that your blood pressure is high unless you check it. For optimal heart health, your blood pressure needs to be at or below 120/80 mm Hg. You may be diagnosed with high blood pressure if your reading continues being above 130/80 mm Hg on at least 3 separate occasions in the office and if home monitoring also yields above normal readings. If your blood pressure ever reaches 180/120 mm Hg, you’re in a hypertensive crisis, which is an emergency situation. This is typically the only time high blood pressure causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath.

What is the treatment for high blood pressure?

Dr. Yee and the team of expert practitioners at Yee Medicine and Pediatric Associates understand that even slightly elevated blood pressure can dramatically increase your risk of serious complications. They design your hypertension treatment plan to incorporate lifestyle factors that can lower your blood pressure, as well as reduce your overall risk of chronic disease. Depending on the severity of your high blood pressure, your treatment plan may include: nutritional counseling, exercise planning as first step in the process. After adequate trial of lifestyle modification, medications may be considered. Each type of medication works differently. For instance, alpha blockers decrease nerve impulses to blood vessels, while beta blockers encourage your heart to beat slower and with less force. Because many classes of hypertension medications exist, Yee Medicine and Pediatric Associates work diligently to find the best type of medication for your specific needs. Before your high blood pressure spirals out of control, see how the team at Yee Medicine and Pediatric Associates can help. Book your exam over the phone with your closest clinic.