One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, but this health condition can be easily managed with the right medical care. At Usborne Family Medicine, Inc. in Covina, California, the caring medical team offers high blood pressure management and personalized treatment for each patient that caters to their individual needs and lifestyle. To reduce the serious health risks that high blood pressure can cause, call the practice or schedule your appointment online today.

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What is high blood pressure?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure (HBP), occurs when your blood pressure is too high for sustained periods.

As your heart pumps oxygenated blood to organs and tissues throughout your body, it applies force to the walls of your blood vessels. When this pressure remains high for extended periods of time, you have high blood pressure.

There are two types of high blood pressure: primary (essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension. If you have primary hypertension, it typically has no apparent cause. Secondary hypertension is the result of an underlying health condition.

Approximately 75 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure typically has no symptoms. It’s diagnosed and managed through primary care appointments.

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

When your blood pressure is high, your heart and blood vessels have to work harder to move blood throughout your body. This puts a strain on your system and can cause damage inside your arteries. LDL (bad) cholesterol can attach to this damage, which leads to plaque building up inside your arteries.

This cycle of damage and plaque buildup causes your arteries to narrow, which leads to your heart having to work even harder. When left untreated, high blood pressure can cause several health problems, including:

  • Stroke
  • Aneurysm
  • Kidney disease
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Heart attack or failure

High blood pressure puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Who develops high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can develop for several reasons, such as:

  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Family history
  • Kidney disease
  • Diets high in salt
  • Being overweight
  • High stress levels
  • Sedentary lifestyles

Diets that are high in salt and low in vitamin D and potassium can also lead to high blood pressure.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed and treated?

At Usborne Family Medicine, the team can diagnose high blood pressure during your primary care appointment. To manage your condition, they use a comprehensive approach that incorporates whole-body wellness. Your doctor may recommend a variety of medications to lower your blood pressure. The team can also guide you through a personalized weight loss and management plan that includes lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise regimens, to help control your blood pressure.

Call Usborne Family Medicine, Inc. or schedule your appointment online today to learn more about high blood pressure management.