What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, describes a condition where the blood in your arteries is pumping too hard against your arterial walls, potentially causing them, and your heart, to weaken.
Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, increasing during and after exercise or upon waking, which is normal. If, however, your resting blood pressure rate is high, it means that your arteries and heart are in a sustained state of overwork.
Over time, high blood pressure can lead to severe complications, such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Kidney problems
If you’ve got hypertension, early intervention with Dr. Guibord is vital in halting and reversing the condition.
What are the Symptoms of Hypertension?
There are no classic symptoms when it comes to high blood pressure. The only way to find out whether you’ve got hypertension is through regular blood pressure checks with Dr. Guibord.
What Causes Hypertension?
There is no primary cause for hypertension; it’s often brought about by other conditions, such as:
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid problems
- Kidney issues
- Alcohol abuse
- Congenital defects in your blood vessels
- Certain medications, such as decongestants and birth control pills
Hypertension can be brought about by several issues that include genetics, underlying conditions, and lifestyle factors. Numerous other factors put you at risk for high blood pressure, too, including:
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Age
- Family history
- Smoking
- Race
How is Hypertension Treated?
There are a number of ways to tackle high blood pressure and Dr. Guibord usually turns to an approach that combines the following:
- Nutritional changes, such as less sodium
- Increasing exercise
- Quitting smoking or drinking
- Losing weight
- Medications, such as diuretics or beta blockers
After reviewing your lifestyle and medical history, Dr. Guibord tailors a plan that fits your specific needs, often starting out conservatively and becoming more aggressive if your condition proves unresponsive.
To get help lowering your blood pressure, call or book an appointment online.
