High Blood Pressure

While often called a “silent” disease, the effects of high blood pressure can be detrimental to your health without the right care. Chris Sparkman, MD, Tabatha Mize, FNP, and the team at Sparkman Family Medicine in Shenandoah, Texas, provide comprehensive care for high blood pressure to minimize your risk of complications and protect your health. Call the family medicine practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too strong. Healthy blood flow is essential to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body’s organs and tissues. When blood pumps too forcefully, it can damage your blood vessels, causing them to weaken and lose flexibility. 

Strain on the arteries from high blood pressure can have serious health consequences, raising your risk of complications like:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Kidney problems
• Vision impairment
• Cognitive decline

If you have hypertension, Dr. Sparkman and the team work with you to lower your blood pressure and prevent complications.

Could I have high blood pressure without knowing it?

Many people have high blood pressure without knowing it. Hypertension rarely causes symptoms. It’s often referred to as a “silent” disease, making it difficult to notice without a thorough blood pressure screening.

When high blood pressure does cause symptoms, it can be dangerous. Telltale signs of high blood pressure include:

• Nosebleeds
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing

Since hypertension can go unnoticed for years, scheduling annual physicals is the simplest way to diagnose high blood pressure before it affects your health. 

Who is prone to high blood pressure?

Primary hypertension has no single cause, but certain factors can increase your risk, including:

• A high-sodium diet
• Excess weight and obesity
• High alcohol consumption
• Genetics
• Older age
• Smoking

Secondary hypertension, a less common type, is often the result of an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea, pregnancy, or diabetes. An accurate diagnosis is vital to treat hypertension and lower high blood pressure properly.

How can I lower high blood pressure?

Lowering your blood pressure typically involves a combination of diet, lifestyle, and medical interventions. If your blood pressure is consistently higher than 120/80 mmHg, Dr. Sparkman and the team can develop an individualized plan that restores your blood pressure to the healthy range. 

Depending on your current health status, the team may recommend following a balanced, low-sodium diet and exercising regularly. Losing weight can also help lower your blood pressure if you carry excess weight or struggle with obesity. Stress reduction techniques, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption may also help manage your blood pressure.

The team may prescribe medication if lifestyle and diet modifications aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure.

Call Sparkman Family Medicine today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.