Hypertension / High Blood Pressure
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Houston Family MD
Board Certified Family Practice Physician located in Houston, TX
Nearly half of the adults in the US have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. If you’re at risk of high blood pressure or already have it, board-certified family medicine physician Ranjit Grewal, MD, and his expert team offer solutions at Houston Family MD in Cypress, Texas. They screen for high blood pressure or help you better manage your condition to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Schedule an appointment with Houston Family MD by phone or online today.
Hypertension/High Blood Pressure Q & A
What is hypertension?
High blood pressure is a chronic condition that causes the force of blood in blood vessels to reach high levels that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Regular blood pressure screening, early detection, and treatment, when needed, can save your life.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause symptoms, especially in its early stages. However, if your blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels you might notice shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and headaches. See your provider immediately if you experience these symptoms.
What are the risk factors for hypertension?
Common risk factors for developing hypertension and other chronic health problems include:
- Older age
- Overweight and obesity
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Too much dietary sodium
- Too little dietary potassium
- Stress
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol
- Having a chronic disease
With uncontrolled high blood pressure, you have a higher risk of heart failure, stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, and dementia.
What tests and tools diagnose diabetes?
To diagnose hypertension, experts at Houston Family MD use a blood pressure cuff and pressure-measuring gauge. They review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and complete a comprehensive physical examination. Dr. Grewal might recommend you undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other cardiac tests to detect or rule out heart problems.
What are high blood pressure treatment options?
Your personalized hypertension treatment plan might include one or both of the following blood pressure-lowering solutions:
Lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can lower high blood pressure naturally or reduce the medication dosage required to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Examples include getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods, weight loss, reducing sodium intake, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.
Medications
If lifestyle changes haven’t worked to reduce hypertension or your levels are dangerously high, Dr. Grewal might recommend you take certain medications to get your levels under control and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Prioritize disease prevention with routine hypertension/blood pressure screenings, and treatment when necessary. Call the Houston Family MD office for an appointment today or use the online booking feature.
