The human body is a true marvel. We are given this vessel so capable of success. It is our responsibility to protect our bodies from risks and strengthen them from vulnerabilities. For the most part, our bodies give us warnings, we just have to listen to them.
While there are typically no visible symptoms of high blood pressure, or hypertension, there are other physical cues. Some people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, nosebleeds or breathlessness. These may appear to be non-specific symptoms but brought to the attention of a medical professional, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure. If left untreated for too long, high BP can cause heart disease or even a heart attack.
So what is high blood pressure?
According to the American Heart Association, hypertension is a condition when the force of the blood flowing in your vessels gets high and remains so for a consistent period. One out of three adults over the age of 20 or roughly 80 million Americans, have high blood pressure. The only way you could know whether you have high BP or not is by getting it checked.
High Blood Pressure is not something you’ll “get to eventually”…
At the age of 38, John Smith is successful and sitting on the board of a multi-national bank. After completing his masters from the Kellogg School of Management, John quickly climbed the corporate ladder and paved a path for himself in the banking industry.
It wasn’t until two years ago, visiting his mother in the hospital, that John felt some pain in his left hand. It did not take long for the pain to subside, but since he was in the hospital he got his blood pressure checked. John is miffed to know that he has high blood pressure. The ER’s doctor advises John to see his general physician for further care of his high BP.
John convinces himself that being so young he can postpone the follow-up the ER doctor recommended despite knowing his mother was in the hospital due to a heart ailment.
Four months later he again has the same kind of pain which diminishes quite quickly. John is reminded of the doctor at the emergency – “visit your doctor and take rest”. He readily blames it on his hectic work schedule and promises himself he’ll get to it eventually. He just cannot leave his work, the race for the next promotion has already begun.
This episode of pain is repeated a couple of times again in the following 15 months with the duration of the pain also seeming to have increased. John is ignoring his body’s signs and setting himself up for a heart attack.
Most would agree that John was playing with fire by ignoring his worsening symptoms.
Yes, it is a common occurrence in most Americans that work comes first. We pride ourselves in our work ethic and despise letting others down.
However, without your health, what work can you even offer?
Types of High Blood Pressure:
- Primary hypertension – High blood pressure where the cause is not identifiable is the primary form of hypertension and majority of people suffer from this type of BP. It develops over a period of several years.
- Secondary hypertension – High blood pressure that has an underlying condition associated with it is referred to as secondary hypertension. The onset of this state is sudden and the BP in secondary type is higher than in primary hypertension. Some of the reasons for secondary hypertension are: thyroid and/ or kidney problem, sleep apnea, congenital blood vessel defects, amphetamines and cocaine, misuse of alcohol, prescription weight loss drugs like Adipex P and various medications.
If you have high blood pressure and it is diagnosed as secondary hypertension, you would need a practitioner who has ample experience and expertise to manage and treat this condition.
Associated Risk Factors & Their Solutions:
- Causes of high blood pressure like obesity, lack of physical activity, and smoking are that can easily be addressed. Likewise, drinking alcohol in excess and/or extra salt (sodium) and lack of potassium and/ or vitamin D in your diet make up more risk factors.
Before resorting to medications, patients are encouraged to tackle these risks head-on.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and ancient grains will provide your body with sustainability and nutrients to combat chronic illnesses. Walking is an easy, relaxing form of cardio both easy on your joints and heart rate. Consider cigarette patches to ease yourself out of nicotine dependency.
- Stress is a significant risk factor which you should also try and minimize. Stress is a common culprit in many silent diseases. This, we acknowledge, is not an easy fix. However, using food, smoking, or drinking as an outlet will only worsen your stress levels.
We know you’ve heard it before, but exercise serves your body in both physical and mental ways. In addition to weight loss, exercise releases endorphins which are, for lack of a better term, are your body’s chemical release of happy satisfaction. Start small, with walking or swimming; your body will thank you. Besides, don’t you remember how excited you got when it was recess in grade school?
- Another risk factor that is out of your hands include family history, race, or age. Women over the age of 65 and men over the age of 45 tend to develop hypertension. If it runs in your family, you are more at risk.
You can keep an eye on this with regular examines with your doctor. If you are more susceptible to the biological risks, medication may be prescribed to offset your DNA’s natural tendencies.
How to Check Your Blood Pressure:
Your blood pressure is usually taken during your routine visits to the physician. At our Lake Mary Family Practice, we can measure your blood pressure and evaluate your needs. As a family practice, we feel the same responsibility as you to continue being there for your family.
In case you don’t see your doctor on a regular basis you can get your blood pressure checked at some grocery stores or pharmacies. However, if you are aware of already having have high blood pressure it is advised by the doctor to get readings on a regular basis.
We Can Help:
If you live in or around Lake Mary, Florida, contact Multicare Physicians for an appointment with Dr. Abdul Quyyum Ahmad, an MD and a family physician who also specializes in treating chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. He is committed to the cause of his patients and treats them with comprehensive and compassionate medical care.
Dr. Ahmad, who has over 11 years of experience in dealing with patients having hypertension, believes in treating his patients holistically. He is affiliated to many hospitals and also corroborates with other physicians and doctors in medical groups.
If this article resonated with you, make your “eventually” appointment today. We are happy to make you healthy and happy.
Disclaimer: MultiCare Physicians provides the [www.multicaredocs.com] Website as a service to the public and Web site owners.
MultiCare Physicians is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the site. While the information contained within the site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided on this Website is correct, complete, and up-to-date.
Although the MultiCare Physicians Website may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, including Websites, MultiCare Physicians is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites.
Links from MultiCare Physicians to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by MultiCare Physicians of the parties or their products and services. The appearance on the Web site of advertisements and product or service information does not constitute an endorsement by MultiCare Physicians, and MultiCare Physicians has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser. Product information is based solely on material received from suppliers.