High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common health issue that can lead to serious problems if not treated correctly. Understanding the risks of high blood pressure is essential for maintaining your health and well-being.
What is Hypertension?
When blood presses too forcefully against the artery walls over an extended period, high blood pressure ensues. This disorder may eventually lead to other health issues.
Risks of High Blood Pressure
Untreated hypertension can result in severe complications. Here are some key risks:
- Heart Disease: High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder than it should, leading to heart disease, heart attacks, and heart failure.
- Stroke: Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in your brain, increasing the risk of a stroke.
- Kidney Damage: Your kidneys filter waste from your blood. High blood pressure can hurt the blood vessels in your kidneys, which might cause kidney disease or make them stop working.
- Vision Loss: Hypertension can harm the blood vessels in your eyes, potentially causing vision loss or blindness.
- Aneurysms: High blood pressure can weaken your blood vessels, leading to aneurysms, which can be life-threatening if they burst.
How to Manage High Blood Pressure
Managing hypertension is important for reducing these risks. Here are some things you can do:
- Healthy Diet: Eat a mix of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats for a healthy diet. Limit salt and saturated fats.
- Regular Exercise: Try to do about 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days.
- Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight to ease the pressure on your heart.
- Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol: Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to lower your blood pressure.
- Medication: If your doctor prescribes, take your blood pressure medication as directed.
Schedule a Hypertension Consultation in Virginia
At Prima Medicine, we understand the importance of managing high blood pressure. If you’re concerned about hypertension, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to assist you in managing your health.
Don’t let high blood pressure put your health at risk. Call us at 703-870-3750 to make an appointment. Our experienced team is ready to support you in Fairfax, South Riding, and Merrifield, VA.
