The Dangers of Hypertension

You’ve probably had your blood pressure measured during routine exams, but you may not realize exactly how it works, what the numbers mean, or why this test is so important.

At Heart Care, Shahnaz Begum, MD, FACC, and our team want you to understand blood pressure tests and the dangers of hypertension (high blood pressure) so you can take control of your health. 

The test is simple. We place the blood pressure cuff around your arm and inflate it until it’s snug. Then, we release the air slowly, allowing more blood to flow through the artery in your arm. 

Each time your heart beats, it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries, creating pressure on the arterial walls. We measure your blood pressure during the heartbeats (systolic) and the pause between heartbeats (diastolic). 

Blood pressure readings over 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (120/80) are considered high, and most health experts diagnose hypertension once the readings reach or exceed 130/80. 

Why is high blood pressure dangerous?

High blood pressure stresses your arterial walls. Over time, this pressure can damage those structures, making them less elastic and inhibiting blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle. Hypertension can eventually lead to heart disease. 

Your arteries aren’t the only part of your body that’s negatively affected by high blood pressure. Virtually all your organs and systems can experience damage. 

Health risks associated with hypertension

It’s difficult to overstate the risks that come with high blood pressure. It is truly one of the most dangerous conditions your body can experience. These are just a few of the health problems with a clear link to hypertension:

• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Dementia
• Vision problems
• Sexual dysfunction
• Kidney disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Aneurysm

Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list. These are just a few of the issues that can develop if your blood pressure gets out of control. 

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

Perhaps the most important thing to know about high blood pressure is that the condition doesn’t always present apparent symptoms. You can live with dangerously high blood pressure for many years and have no idea of the damage slowly occurring within your body. 

For far too many people, the first indication that they have hypertension is a serious problem like a stroke or heart attack. By the time they know their blood pressure needs attention, it may be too late. 

This is why blood pressure readings are part of every routine health exam. The results become part of your permanent medical record, allowing us to track changes over time.  Even more importantly, you can see when your blood pressure is climbing toward the danger zone in time to take action and bring your reading down to healthier levels. 

What can I do if I have hypertension?

If Dr. Begum determines you have hypertension, she discusses whether you need additional diagnostic tests to check for heart damage. The next step is creating a personalized hypertension treatment plan. 

There are many different ways to lower your blood pressure. The easiest place to begin is by changing your diet. Swapping highly processed foods for whole foods like fruit and vegetables can make a difference. 

Finding ways to be more active will also positively affect your blood pressure. There are so many different forms of exercise to choose from; try a few options and see what you enjoy. Even walking is a great way to keep moving and reduce your blood pressure. 

Medication can also help. Dr. Begreduce blood pressure to find an option that aligns with your needs. Drug therapy is never used as a stand-alone treatment, however. Lifestyle modifications are always part of any effective treatment plan. 

When you’re ready to learn more about blood pressure’s role in your overall health, contact Heart Care online or by phone to schedule a visit at our Frisco, Texas, office.