High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, contributing at least partially to over 1,000 deaths a day. At Family Medical Specialists of Florida, PLC, the team of highly trained and professional physicians helps you to find a high blood pressure management system that works for you. Don’t let this silent killer make you a statistic. If you live in or near Plant City, Florida, call Family Medical Specialists today or go online to book your initial consultation.
High Blood Pressure Q & A
Is my blood pressure high?
About 75 million Americans have high blood pressure, clinically called hypertension, which averages to about one in three adults. Of these people, nearly one in five don’t even know they’re at risk.
If your blood pressure is below 120/80, it’s normal and healthy. Blood pressure that ranges from 120/80 through 129/80 indicates that you have prehypertension, or an elevated blood pressure which could be a warning sign of future issues.
Stage one hypertension ranges from 130/80 to 139/89, while stage two ranges from 140/90 and up.
Should I be concerned about high blood pressure?
When you have high blood pressure, it damages your circulatory system, giving you a significantly increased risk of having:
- A heart attack
- A stroke
- An aneurysm
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
Medical professionals call hypertension the silent killer, because the first symptom that something’s wrong is often a heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure is a serious issue and without treatment, can lead to deadly consequences. There is good news, though ⸺ blood pressure is highly treatable and, in many cases, it can drop to normal levels with simple lifestyle changes.
How do I improve my blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, the team at Family Medical Specialists of Florida recommends making some changes to improve your blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular events. They suggest:
- Eating a healthy, low-sodium diet
- Quitting smoking cigarettes
- Exercising daily
- Reducing your stress
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting alcohol intake
Another important aspect to lowering your blood pressure is knowing your numbers. Take your blood pressure regularly so that you can monitor your levels, become aware of changes, and recognize patterns.
How is blood pressure treated?
If these lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure to a healthy level, your doctor may prescribe you a medication to help control your levels. There are multiple types of hypertension medications and you may need to try a few before you find the one that works best for you and your blood pressure.
When your blood pressure becomes severe, multiple medications may be necessary to properly manage your hypertension.
If you’re at risk for high blood pressure, don’t wait until something happens. Call Family Medical Specialists of Florida today to schedule your initial consultation. You can even book your appointment online.