High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the force of the blood against the walls of your arteries exceeds what is normal. Left unaddressed, this could lead to serious health complications. Often, the condition will exhibit no outward symptoms but can be picked up during screenings when you visit the doctor. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hypertension or think you might have it, here’s what you need to know.

How to Read Blood Pressure

In addition to the tests offered by the doctor, many pharmacies, health fairs, and stores have public blood pressure machines; however, accuracy isn’t guaranteed with this method.

You’ll receive two numbers describing your blood pressure. The top “systolic” number measures the pressure with which your heart pumps blood. The bottom “diastolic” number refers to the pressure apparent when the heart relaxes between beats. The ideal range is 90/60 to 120/80. A reading of 120/80 to 140/90 is considered a little higher than usual while anything over 140/90 is considered hypertension and requires medical intervention.

What Are the Risks of High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure puts excessive force on your artery walls and could wind up damaging blood vessels and organs over time. It also increases the risk of severe health issues if it isn’t controlled, including heart failure and heart attack, aneurysm, and vascular dementia. Hypertension also falls within the cluster of symptoms known as metabolic syndrome, which increases one’s chances of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

What Can You Do if Yours is High?

Your doctor will work with you to set up a tailored treatment plan. Slightly elevated blood pressure may be addressed through lifestyle modifications, such as dietary improvements, alcohol avoidance, and moderate physical activity. In other cases, you may be prescribed medication as well to bring your blood pressure back down to a healthy level.

If you think you could be at risk for high blood pressure, contact Dumas Family Practice. Serving the northern panhandle of Texas, this friendly doctor’s office has been a trusted source for quality medical treatment in the community for more than 26 years. Among their comprehensive services are treatments for chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. Learn more about the services they provide online or call (806) 935-9005 to schedule an appointment.