Hypertension
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Vijaya Nama, MD
Primary Care & Family Physician located in Mesquite, TX
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known as a silent killer because it has no outward symptoms. This is why you benefit from regular blood pressure checks at the office of Vijaya Nama, MD, who can evaluate your numbers and help you manage them if they’re too high. Men, women, and families in Mesquite, Texas, can call her office or book an appointment online.
Hypertension Q & A
What is high blood pressure?
Approximately one in three adults suffer from high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This common condition happens when your blood pushes against your artery walls too intensely and at a level that may eventually cause health problems.
Hypertension develops over many years and, if uncontrolled, can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack and stroke.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Hypertension generally doesn’t have any symptoms, but it does do internal damage. Dr. Nama does a regular check of your blood pressure at every visit and can monitor your levels.
Your risk of developing hypertension increases with:
- Advancing age
- Family history
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco use and excessive alcohol intake
- Too much sodium in your diet and too little potassium
- Stressful lifestyle
- Certain chronic conditions
Normal blood pressure is listed at 120/80. If your readings are regularly higher than these numbers, you may be diagnosed with elevated blood pressure that deserves intervention to prevent further spikes.
Dr. Nama diagnoses hypertension if you have numbers of 130/80 for at least three consecutive visits.
Why should I get my blood pressure under control?
If left unmanaged, hypertension leads to a myriad of health problems. These include:
- Heart attack or stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney problems
- Aneurysm
- Dementia
- Trouble with memory
- Metabolic syndrome
You can, however, control your hypertension with lifestyle changes and medication.
How is hypertension treated?
Dr. Nama offers advice on lifestyle changes to improve your blood pressure numbers. She can coach you on how to follow a heart-healthy diet that contains less salt and how to get more regular physical activity. If you’re overweight, losing weight can help reduce your numbers.
Dr. Nama may also prescribe specific medications to help lower your numbers. Exactly what type of drugs offered depends on your blood pressure levels and any other underlying conditions. The drugs don’t eliminate the need to take lifestyle strategies to reduce your numbers, but they work in concert with them.
If you have hypertension or haven’t had your blood pressure measured in a while, make an appointment with Dr. Nama by calling her office or using the online booking agent.
