Hypertension is commonly referred to as high blood pressure and is a cardiovascular condition in which blood pressure is higher than the normal level of 120 over 80. It is important to seek treatment as hypertension increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Aamir Javaid, the board-certified cardiologist at the Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Care in Kissimmee & Poinciana, FL, treats hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.
Why Hypertension Goes Unnoticed
Many individuals with hypertension do not even realize they have the condition. A primary reason for this is that high blood pressure does not always produce noticeable symptoms early on. Unfortunately, if symptoms do develop it is often because the condition has become more serious. When hypertension is not treated and progresses, it could become life-threatening if it leads to a heart attack.
Symptoms of Hypertension
Since hypertension does not always produce obvious symptoms it is beneficial to have your blood pressure checked regularly, which can be done during regular wellness checkups with your primary care provider. If symptoms do develop, they could include:
- Sharp chest pains
- Severe headaches
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Causes of Hypertension
Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure. For instance, certain health conditions, including diabetes, sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders, are associated with a higher risk for hypertension. Additionally, males are more likely than females to develop the condition. Other risk factors for hypertension include:
- Getting older
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Being overweight or obese
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Too much salt in the diet
- Heredity/family history
- Smoking tobacco
Treatment for Hypertension
Seeking treatment for hypertension helps reduce the risk of developing other cardiovascular problems, such as stroke or heart attack. The experienced cardiologist at our offices in Kissimmee & Poinciana, FL, treats hypertension utilizing several methods and will develop a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and needs. Treatment could include prescription medications to lower blood pressure and treatment of underlying health conditions that might be contributing to high blood pressure.
Another key component to managing and treating hypertension is making certain changes to your lifestyle. Such changes often include:
- Losing weight or maintaining a healthy body weight
- Engaging in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes every day
- Including more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet
- Reducing salt and unhealthy fats in the diet
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
If you have high blood pressure, we can help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Javaid to discuss your options for treating hypertension by calling the Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Care in Kissimmee & Poinciana, FL, at (407) 572-8900.