Hypertension

What is hypertension? 

Hypertension develops when blood pushes against your artery walls too forcefully. Every blood pressure reading has two numbers:

• Systolic (top): Pressure when your heart contracts
• Diastolic (bottom): Pressure when your heart relaxes

Amanda and the team organize readings into four blood pressure categories:

• Normal: Below 120/80
• Elevated: 120-129/below 80
• Stage 1: 130-139/80-89
• Stage 2: 140/90 or higher

Most people with high blood pressure feel completely fine, which is the reason why many health care professionals call it a “silent killer” — it damages organs without warning. Your arteries thicken over time, forcing your heart to work harder. This stress creates a cycle that damages blood vessels throughout your body.

What causes blood pressure to rise and turn into hypertension? 

Over time, various factors contribute to high blood pressure, such as:

• Salt intake
• Stress levels
• Family genetics
• Weight gain
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Alcohol consumption
• Kidney function issues
• Sleep problems

Some people inherit sensitivity to salt. Others develop it after menopause or as they age. Certain medications, like cold remedies or birth control, can also raise pressure.

How do you know if you have hypertension? 

Amanda and her team take multiple readings over several visits to diagnose hypertension. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, so one high reading doesn’t mean you have hypertension. She may recommend:

• Home monitoring with a reliable cuff
• Tracking patterns based on activities
• Noting readings after stress or exercise

She also takes tests to check if high pressure has affected your organs — looking at kidney function, protein in urine, and heart rhythm.

How can you lower blood pressure? 

Treatment often starts with changes you can control:

• Reducing sodium each day
• Exercising most days 
• Losing excess weight
• Cutting back on alcohol
• Managing stress better
• Better sleep habits

If lifestyle changes don’t bring the pressure down enough, Amanda typically prescribes medications. Options include heart rate reducers and blood vessel relaxers. Most people need a combination to reach healthy levels. Often, finding the proper medication takes trial and adjustment.

Hypertension is manageable with the correct care, and better numbers start with better monitoring. Schedule your blood pressure evaluation at Altamont Family Health & Integrative Medicine or book online.