High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is characterized by elevations of your blood pressure over specific values. Most institutes consider blood pressure over 130/90 to be hypertension. The diagnosis of hypertension requires more than one measurement though, and they need to be performed under relaxed conditions.
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At Dr. Sayyed, Burr Ridge, La Grange, Hinsdale, Chicago, we’re fully aware that high blood pressure is known as the silent killer. The name comes from the fact that it’s a completely asymptomatic disease, but one that can be lethal. At Dr. Sayyed, we’ve been dealing with patients with hypertension our entire careers and know how to help control blood pressure levels.
Complications of High Blood Pressure
As we mentioned earlier, blood pressure is silent. People can live with high blood pressure for years before detecting it on a routine measurement. Some people complain of headaches or blurred vision when their blood pressure goes up, but it’s not a good idea to wait for symptoms to appear.
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The reason hypertension is called the silent killer is because it affects two major organs: the heart and the brain. When a person’s blood pressure is high, their heart has to pump harder to move blood into the aorta. In the long run, this can lead to heart failure.
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The brain can be affected by hypertension too. If blood pressure is too high, vessels in the brain can rupture, leading to hemorrhage. Both heart failure and intracranial hemorrhages can be lethal or debilitating.
Management of High Blood Pressure
At Dr. Sayyed, we can help you lower your blood pressure through natural methods. First of all, our dietician can help set you up with a healthier diet devoid of foods that cause atherosclerosis and worsen high blood pressure.
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We also have relaxation techniques and methods for dealing with stress. Stress is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Smoking is bad for the condition too, and it’s advised that those with hypertension stop smoking.
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We know it can be hard to comply with hypertension treatment if you’re not feeling anything. Nonetheless, it’s always better to treat blood pressure than deal with its complications.