Nearly half of American adults have hypertension (high blood pressure) and are at risk for stroke and other health complications. At Pavilion Family Medicine, John Ribadeneyra, MD, offers preventive blood pressure screenings during routine physicals. They also customize care plans to lower your blood pressure levels and keep you healthy long-term. Call the Montrose, Colorado, office to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for hypertension or book a consultation online today.
request an appointmentWhat is hypertension?
Your blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) describes a condition that develops when the force of the blood is too high. If left untreated, your blood pressure can damage the walls of your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
There are two types of hypertension the providers can address:
Primary hypertension
Primary hypertension describes high blood pressure that develops for no identifiable reason. This condition typically develops gradually over many years when plaque in the arteries hardens and increases blood pressure.
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension describes elevated blood pressure levels due to an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease and thyroid disorders, or the use of certain medications.
Pavilion Family Medicine offers chronic care management services to address hypertension and prevent the condition from worsening.
How do I know if I have hypertension?
Hypertension is referred to as a silent killer because the condition doesn’t cause any symptoms until it becomes severe. The only way to be sure you have hypertension is to get a blood pressure screening.
Pavilion Family Medicine offers hypertension screenings during routine physicals. They can also check your blood pressure if you experience symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
If you have high blood pressure levels, the providers create a treatment plan to lower them and prevent damage to your arteries.
How is hypertension treated?
In the early stages of hypertension, your treatment may focus on lifestyle and diet changes to help your blood pressure levels lower naturally. These changes may include:
- Eating a low-salt diet
- Getting 30 minutes or more of daily exercise
- Limiting alcohol use
- Getting enough sleep
- Using stress reduction techniques
Pavilion Family Medicine also provides weight management services to help you achieve a healthy body weight as excess fat can further increase your blood pressure levels. The providers also offer smoking cessation programs to help you quit for good to protect the function of your blood vessels.
If these strategies don’t control your blood pressure levels, you may need prescription medications that relax your vessels and improve blood circulation.
The providers continue to monitor your blood pressure levels during follow-up visits. They may also recommend that you invest in a blood pressure screening device to use at home.
Call Pavilion Family Medicine to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for hypertension or book an appointment online today.