Managing High Blood Pressure
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.
Hypertension often develops without symptoms, so many people don’t know they have it.
Most people with high blood pressure have no noticeable symptoms. However, very high levels may cause:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
Because symptoms are rare, routine checks are important.
High blood pressure is diagnosed by measuring your blood pressure regularly. A typical blood pressure reading includes:
- Systolic pressure (top number)
- Diastolic pressure (bottom number)
Readings consistently above 130/80 mmHg usually indicate hypertension.
Other tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram
These help assess any related heart or kidney concerns.
Managing high blood pressure often includes:
- Lifestyle changes such as a low-salt diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction
- Medications to help control your blood pressure
- Monitoring at home and regular follow-ups with your provider
Managing blood pressure helps reduce your risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other complications.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, or if you’re managing hypertension, call (888) 310-7258 to schedule an appointment with Biltmore Cardiology.