High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure services offered in Ocala, FL

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects 75 million adults in the United States, which is nearly one-third of the population over the age of 18. The good news is that there are ways to resolve the issue before it leads to more serious, and even life-threatening, cardiovascular issues. The first step is to put yourself under the expert care of the team at Marion Heart Center & Marion Physician Associates, where they can help you get a handle on your blood pressure numbers for improved long-term health. To get started, call one of their offices in Ocala, Florida, or request an appointment online today.

What is high blood pressure?

Your blood pressure is the amount of force your blood places on your arterial walls with each beat of your heart. Over time, this force can damage your blood vessels, which can lead to:

Heart attack
Stroke
Aneurysm
Heart failure
Kidney failure

As you can see from this list, the ramifications of high blood pressure are very serious, which is why lowering your blood pressure is paramount.

What constitutes high blood pressure?

Measuring your blood pressure is very simple, and the team at Marion Heart Center & Marion Physician Associates routinely conduct this test during your annual physical exam or during any visit to their office. Your provider measures your blood pressure with a simple cuff that registers two numbers — systolic on top and diastolic on the bottom. Your systolic number is the pressure on your arteries during a heartbeat, and your diastolic number is the pressure between heartbeats.

Here’s how blood pressure numbers break out:

Below 120 over below 80: Normal
120-129 over below 80: Elevated
130-139 over 80-89: High, stage 1
140 or higher over 90 or higher: High, stage 2

The good news is that if your blood pressure numbers are high, there are actions you can take to lower them.

What causes high blood pressure?

The most common factors that contribute to high blood pressure include:

Being overweight
Lack of exercise
Older age
Race (African Americans are more susceptible to high blood pressure)
Smoking
Diet (too much salt and/or too little potassium)

There are some factors that are beyond your control, but there are also plenty well within your power to change.

How is high blood pressure treated?

If your blood pressure numbers are high, the team at Marion Heart Center & Marion Physician Associates tailors a treatment plan to fit your unique circumstances and goals. This treatment may include:

Medications
Dietary changes, typically a low-sodium diet
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking
An exercise regimen

These steps can go a long way toward lowering your blood pressure, allowing you to reverse the course of your health for the better.

To lower your blood pressure, call Marion Heart Center & Marion Physician Associates or request an appointment online today.