Learn About Your Hypertension Risk Factors

Hypertension is a lifestyle disorder that can result in life-threatening complications if not addressed. Although high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, it continues to cause irreversible damage to your blood vessels and heart.Kyle Scarborough MD and his team utilize advanced technology to develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your blood pressure, preventing life-threatening complications.

When to consult your doctor about hypertension

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition that affects your arteries. When you have blood pressure above 140/90mmHg, your blood pushes against your artery walls, and your heart has to pump blood twice as hard to keep up. Medical experts call hypertension the “silent killer” because you may not know its existence, but the damage is not stagnant. Most people with hypertension rarely experience any symptoms, even if the blood pressure levels are off the charts.

However, some people may experience shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and headaches. These symptoms may manifest when the disorder has reached an advanced life-threatening stage. Family Life Medical specialists recommend regular blood pressure screenings to allow your doctor to detect hypertension before it causes further damage. The frequency of your screenings will rely on your overall health and age. Your provider may recommend frequent blood pressure screenings if you have a family or health history of heart disease.

Risk factors for hypertension.

Several medical conditions and lifestyle habits can elevate your risk of hypertension. If you have any of the following disorders, inform your physician:

• Elevated blood pressure

Elevated blood pressure levels indicate an early hypertension stage, which develops over time. Slightly high blood pressure elevates your chances of developing long-lasting or chronic high blood pressure if not managed. An early diagnosis enables your doctor to develop a treatment plan to prevent the progression of the disease and the occurrence of the associated complications.

• Diabetes

Medical records show that 6 out of 10 patients who live with diabetes also have hypertension. Diabetes is a chronic disorder that causes the accumulation of sugars in your bloodstream, elevating your risk of heart disease. You can discuss with your doctor about management treatments for diabetes and other risk factors.

Your lifestyle can also increase your risk of hypertension. Lifestyle choices that your doctor may advise against include:

• Unhealthy diet

A diet that is too low in potassium and too high in sodium is a catalyst for high blood pressure. Most of the sodium you take comes from restaurants and processed foods. Inadequate potassium intake impairs your body’s ability to function as expected, leading to high blood pressure.

• Physical inactivity

Regular exercise keeps your blood vessels and heart strong and healthy, lowering your risk of hypertension. Physical activity also aids in maintaining the ideal weight, reducing your risk of other heart-related disorders.

• Obesity

Obesity, or being overweight, means having excess body fat, which makes your heart work harder to pump blood to other body parts. Over time, all the stress on your heart and blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure. Additionally, obesity can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

Call the Family Life Medical office or book an appointment online for more information about high blood pressure.