Hypertension

What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is diagnosed when the force of the blood pumping through your arteries is too high for an extended period. The excess force of your blood damages the walls of your arteries and makes it harder for your heart to pump blood.

Hypertension affects people of all ages, but it’s most common in folks 50 and older. Lifestyle choices, including lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking, can increase your risk.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension rarely presents symptoms, which is why it’s called “the silent killer.” Many people with high blood pressure don’t know they have it, which is why routine checkups at Mariposa Medical Associates are so necessary. Monitoring your blood pressure at least once annually can provide peace of mind and preserve your health.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Your provider uses a blood pressure monitor to diagnose hypertension. It measures blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg) and has an inflatable cuff and a pressure-measuring gauge.

The American Heart Association says that a reading of up to 120/80 mm/Hg is considered healthy blood pressure. If your numbers are any higher, you have hypertension, increasing your risk of heart disease.

Since blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, your Mariposa Medical Associates provider takes several blood pressure readings during your checkup to ensure their accuracy.

How is hypertension treated?

The Mariposa Medical Associates team takes a conservative and integrative approach to treating hypertension. They can suggest:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake
• Getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night
• Exercising regularly
• Committing to medically supervised weight loss
• Learning stress management activities, like yoga or meditation

They might also recommend taking medication to stabilize or lower your blood pressure. Hypertension drugs include:

• Water pills (diuretics)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers
• Alpha-blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Vasodilators

Most cases of hypertension benefit from some combination of treatments. Your provider monitors your blood pressure at regular checkups and adjusts your treatment as needed.

What is the outlook for hypertension?

While hypertension can’t be cured, conservative treatments like healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medication can keep your blood pressure in the healthy range, reducing your risk of complications.

Follow your provider’s instructions, attend checkups, and commit to the treatment plan. Most patients experience significant drops in their blood pressure within 6-8 weeks of starting treatment.*

Call Mariposa Medical Associates to schedule hypertension treatment, or book your appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary.