High blood pressure—or hypertension—is an extremely common condition that occurs when the force of circulation within blood vessels is higher than it should be. Without proper treatment, this problem can contribute to heart disease and many of its complications, including heart attack and stroke. While hypertension is commonly associated with older patients, younger adults are also at risk of developing it. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, here’s what you should know about your risk, how to recognize it, and how your local pharmacy can help.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

A person develops hypertension when their heart is working harder to circulate blood throughout the body. There are several reasons this may occur.

Some risk factors associated with this condition can’t be controlled, such as a family history of hypertension, aging, or a preexisting medical condition like chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

Fortunately, many other risk factors can be controlled with proper guidance from a health care provider. For example, staying physically active, consuming a heart-healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are all ways you can lower your risk as a younger adult.

What Are the Signs of High Blood Pressure?

Many cases of high blood pressure do not present symptoms. To detect the condition, screen your levels regularly with a blood pressure monitor. A level of 130/80 or higher can indicate some form of chronic hypertension.

In advanced cases, individuals may notice health issues that are indirectly related to high blood pressure, such as having a stroke or heart attack, facial flushing, and optic nerve damage.

How Is High Blood Pressure Treated?

Depending on your diagnosis, there are many different ways your health care provider may treat high blood pressure. At-risk or minor cases, for example, can often be controlled by restricting diet and increasing exercise. If these steps don’t lower your readings, prescription medication from a local pharmacy may be necessary.

Committed to helping patients care for every aspect of their health, Bernens Medical & Pharmacy is a leading resource in Cincinnati, OH. Through personalized assistance, this caring team of professionals will fill hypertension medications with ease and offer guidance on how to use them. They also offer blood pressure monitors to help you check your readings. To learn more about their services and medical supplies, visit this neighborhood pharmacy online. For help with prescriptions or other medications, call (513) 471-7575.