Hypertension

Stoneleigh Medical Group

Gastroenterology & Internal Medicine located in Carmel, NY, Brewster, NY, Pawling, NY, & Jefferson Valley, NY

Hypertension affects nearly half of all Americans. You may not even know you have hypertension, or high blood pressure, as it has no outward symptoms until you reach a crisis level. To diagnose and manage hypertension and prevent long-term complications, trust Stoneleigh Medical Group. Call the office in Brewster, Jefferson Valley, Yorktown Heights, or Pawling, New York, or use the online tool to book your blood pressure check up.

Hypertension Q&A

What is hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure means that your blood pumps too forcefully against the walls of your blood vessels. Hypertension makes your heart and body work harder to pump blood as it circulates through your body, compromising blood flow and causing damage to your internal organs.

Who is at risk of developing hypertension?

Your blood vessels naturally narrow as you grow older, increasing your risk of high blood pressure. Age isn’t the only risk factor, however. Other things that can put you at a higher risk of developing hypertension include:

Being overweight or obese
Living a sedentary lifestyle
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
A poor diet rich in salt, oil, and fat
High sodium, low potassium diet
High stress
Smoking
Chronic disease, including diabetes
Sleep apnea
Ethnic background

Hypertension also has a genetic link, so if someone in your family has high blood pressure, you should make sure you keep tabs on yours.

What happens if I don’t manage hypertension?

If untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart disease, and other serious complications. Regular blood pressure checks can identify high levels, so you get treatment and management to maintain good health and avoid complications.

How do I know if I have hypertension?

Because hypertension has no symptoms, regular checks are the only way to monitor your blood pressure. Your blood pressure is measured at annual exams and at any other visits you make to Stoneleigh Medical Group.

A diagnosis occurs after a reading above 130/80 mm Hg at three or more consecutive visits. If your blood pressure is elevated at 120-129/80 mm Hg, you’re at risk of developing full-blown hypertension if you don’t take steps, like dietary changes and weight loss, to reduce it.

How is hypertension treated?

Stoneleigh Medical Group recommends lifestyle changes to help you get control of your blood pressure levels. Your provider may recommend you limit alcohol intake, quit smoking, lose weight, eat a whole foods diet, and get more regular exercise.

These changes can help improve your blood pressure levels on their own, but some patients also benefit from medications to help get their levels under control. Medications aren’t a replacement for lifestyle changes.

If you’re at risk of hypertension or have a diagnosis, contact Stoneleigh Medical Group for an appointment today. Call or use the online tool to schedule.