High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition characterized by the blood running through your blood vessels at a higher pressure than it should. Blood pressure is the force that your blood puts against the walls of your blood vessels.

While your blood pressure normally fluctuates, consistent high blood pressure takes a toll on your heart and can lead to serious ailments such as heart attacks and stroke. The condition is extremely common: one in three adults in the United States has it

Is high blood pressure reversible?

You may have struggled for years, with your high blood pressure. It can be very discouraging to have to take 1, 2 or 3 medications to try to keep it controlled. We at the Center for Primary Healthcare believe that it is important to treat high blood pressure aggressively through both pharmacological and non-pharmacologic means. We will help you to get off your blood pressure medicines if that is possible, or at least reduce your medication burden. We do this through dietary intervention, see the Fresh Weigh program. A low carbohydrate diet has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure, more so than a low-fat diet and a weight loss drug combined. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20101008

We enjoy seeing our patients save significant money by reducing theirs out of pocket costs for medications! As our patients lose weight, many of them can reduce or eliminate their blood pressure medications.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

It is difficult to determine if you have high blood pressure without tests from your doctor, as the condition doesn’t have any symptoms. Because of this, it has earned the nickname, “the silent killer.”

Your blood pressure is tested when you visit The Center for Primary Healthcare, and Dr. Crevier informs you if your blood pressure is high or if you’re at risk of having high blood pressure. As you age, it’s important to come in regularly for physical exams, as blood pressure tests are included.

What happens if I don’t manage my high blood pressure?

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to many serious health problems, including many that are life-threatening. High blood pressure increases your risk of:

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Heart attacks
• Aneurysm
• Dementia

Dr. Crevier helps you form a management plan for your high blood pressure. Even if you’re at a higher risk but still have normal blood pressure, he can give you tips on how to keep yours within the normal range.

Am I at risk for high blood pressure?

You may be predisposed to high blood pressure for several reasons, including your:

• Genetics
• Age
• Race
• Obesity or weight
• Alcohol use
• Tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Salt consumption

After discussing your medical history and lifestyle habits, your provider at The Center for Primary Healthcare helps you examine your risk of high blood pressure and discusses the changes you can make to lower your chances of getting it.

If you’re concerned about your blood pressure and want to know more about how you can manage it or better yet---reverse it, call or schedule an appointment online at The Center for Primary Healthcare today.