High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a potentially deadly condition that you can have and never realize until it’s reached a life-threatening stage. The good news is that a simple blood pressure screening with Linda Coleman, MD, and the team at Coleman Primary Care in Sterling, Virginia, could help prevent the serious consequences of untreated hypertension. Call Coleman Primary Care or use online booking to schedule a routine blood pressure check today.
Hypertension is the medical name for a condition you might be more familiar with as high blood pressure. Hypertension is a serious medical problem that can have life-threatening consequences, causing arterial damage that can lead to:
One of the most concerning aspects of hypertension is that it doesn’t cause any symptoms. That means that the first indication of a serious health problem is when you experience a heart attack, organ failure, or other critical events.
The team at Coleman Primary Care recommends all patients get regular blood pressure checks to make sure they can begin addressing the problem right away if hypertension is detected.
You’ve probably had your blood pressure checked in the past. It’s a simple, noninvasive test in which your provider wraps an inflatable cuff around your arm, then pumps it up to increase pressure on your blood vessels.
They measure the pressure in your arteries when your heart’s beating, which is the systolic measurement, and the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, which is the diastolic measurement.
The two measurements form a reading that tells you how high your blood pressure is:
A reading of 120 systolic over 80 diastolic (120/80) or below.
Between 120-129 systolic, or diastolic below 80. Blood pressure readings in this range need lowering to prevent hypertension from developing.
Between 130-139 systolic, or between 80-89 diastolic.
Over 140 systolic, or over 90 diastolic.
If your readings indicate you have hypertension, you may need to undergo other tests to see if high blood pressure has led to any damage. These tests could include:
It’s important to check for any damage, so you can undergo treatment before you develop a serious health problem.
Hypertension usually develops because of poor lifestyle choices. Therefore leading a healthier lifestyle and changing bad habits can lower your blood pressure and reverse the effects.
Changes you might need to make include:
A regular blood pressure exam is a fast and easy way to check for hypertension and take action before it’s too late. Schedule your blood pressure check by calling Coleman Primary Care or booking an appointment online today.
