Could I Have High Blood Pressure and Not Know It?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous health condition that causes the force of your blood pushing against the artery walls to be too high. This leads to artery damage and can even cause more serious issues such as a heart attack or stroke if it’s left unmanaged.

One of the most dangerous things about high blood pressure is that it doesn’t present with symptoms until it becomes extremely severe, even life-threatening. In fact, over 30% of those living with high blood pressure don’t even know that they have it. 

The best way to get an early high blood pressure diagnosis is to make sure you attend annual well visits so your blood pressure is regularly monitored.

Because high blood pressure can be so detrimental to your health, Elaine Phuah, DO, MBA, FACOI, Leon Tio, DO, MA, FACOI, and the rest of our team at Clover Internal Medicine Associates in Fort Worth, Texas want to review more information about this condition in this blog. Read on to learn how to prevent and manage it.

What causes high blood pressure?

There are actually two different kinds of high blood pressure: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. 

The exact cause of primary hypertension is unknown; however, certain factors can increase your risk of developing it such as eating an unhealthy diet high in sodium, not getting enough physical activity, and having a close family member who also has high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension often occurs due to another underlying medical condition such as obstructive sleep apnea or kidney disease. Tobacco or recreational drug usage can also cause secondary hypertension. 

How can you prevent high blood pressure?

Thankfully, there’s many things you can do to mitigate your risk of high blood pressure. 

We recommend following a healthy diet plan that’s full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and also low in sodium. You should also limit your alcohol intake to only 1-2 drinks per day. 

In addition, try to participate in some type of physical activity on a regular basis. Doing something even as simple as walking can work wonders for your blood pressure. The combination of a healthy diet and exercise can keep you at a healthy weight and your blood pressure at a healthy range.

How to manage high blood pressure

High blood pressure is typically detected during a routine doctor’s visit. However, if it’s been awhile since your last wellness visit and you’ve noticed signs of severe high blood pressure — such as dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, nervousness, or sweating — you should make an appointment with us for accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

If your high blood pressure is caught early, you may be able to lower your blood pressure with simple lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and losing weight. However, if this isn’t effective or your blood pressure is dangerously high, medications may be necessary.

If you suspect that you have high blood pressure, don’t wait to seek treatment with our team. Schedule an appointment by giving us a call or by using our convenient online booking feature today.