High Blood Pressure
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Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc.
Cardiologists & Primary Care Practice located in Baltimore, MD & Pikesville, MD
In the United States, about one in three adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). Since high blood pressure can lead to heart failure and stroke if it isn’t properly managed, board-certified cardiologist Camellus Ezeugwu, MD, FACC, FACP, PhD, provides comprehensive hypertension treatment plans at Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc. in Pikesville and Baltimore, Maryland. By using a special remote patient hypertension management platform, (“protect my heart”) Dr. Ezeugwu and his team can effectively manage and control high blood pressure to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Book your high blood pressure evaluation online today or call your nearest location directly to schedule an appointment.
High Blood Pressure Q & A
What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a chronic condition that refers to excessive force from blood as it circulates through your arteries and veins. Because blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood pumped through your heart, as well as the level of resistance from arteries, your blood pressure increases as your heart pumps more blood and as your arteries become narrower.
High blood pressure is diagnosed as primary or secondary hypertension. With primary hypertension, your blood pressure increases gradually over time for no single identifiable or obvious cause.
If you have secondary hypertension, you may have an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, thyroid problems, or obstructive sleep apnea, that increase your risk of high blood pressure. In either case, your risk of developing hypertension increases if you:
- Smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco
- Are older, especially over age 65
- Follow a sedentary lifestyle
- Are overweight or obese
Your blood pressure can also spike if you have too much sodium (salt) in your diet, or if you don’t get enough potassium.
Why should I be concerned about high blood pressure?
To keep your heart and vital organs healthy, your blood pressure should stay below 120/80 mm Hg. Once your blood pressure goes above this point, especially if it’s over 140/90 mm Hg, your doctor is likely going to diagnose you with hypertension.
High blood pressure can wreak havoc on your entire body, potentially causing damage to veins, vessels, and arteries. You should be concerned about high blood pressure because it can lead to:
- Stroke
- Vision loss
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Memory problems and dementia
Since you won’t experience any obvious symptoms when your blood pressure surges, it’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and schedule an exam at Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc. if your blood pressure is on the rise.
How is high blood pressure treated?
Treating high blood pressure involves combining lifestyle changes and medications, depending on your overall health, in an effort to prevent heart failure and chronic disease. Dr. Ezeugwu may recommend medications to:
- Relax your blood vessels, like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARBs).
- Stimulate your body to release fluids, as with diuretics
- Reduce force on your heart, such as beta-blockers
- Dilate blood vessels, like alpha-blockers
Lifestyle changes are often prescribed as first-line therapy for hypertension and it may be possible to manage your blood pressure without resorting to medication. Dr. Ezeugwu could suggest the following lifestyle changes:
- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet)
- Weight management
- Regular exercise
Your blood pressure management plan from Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc. is entirely tailored to you. Dr. Ezeugwu can even set you up to remotely monitor you for blood pressure control, so he can evaluate your blood pressure levels regularly from his office and make any essential changes to your treatment plan. Click the enroll button below to enroll in this program if you have high blood pressure.
Schedule your high blood pressure evaluation at Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc. today. Click on the online scheduling feature or call either office to book a visit.
By using a special remote patient diabetes and hypertension management platform, (“protect my heart”) Camellus Ezeugwu, MD, FACC, FACP, PhD, and his team can effectively manage and control diabetes and blood pressure to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Click below to enroll in this program if you have diabetes and or high blood pressure.
