Are you at risk for high blood pressure?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, you have a 90% chance of developing high
blood pressure (also called hypertension) by age 55 –
if you don’t have it already. If your blood pressure
goes unchecked and remains constantly elevated, it can cause
stroke, heart attack, even kidney failure.
What are the risk factors?
- Smoking
- Excess weight
- Lack of exercise
- Poor diet (especially one high in fat and cholesterol)
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain types of birth control
- Family history
- Chronic disease such as diabetes, kidney disease, or
lupus
Click here to calculate
your individual risk factors now.
What if I feel healthy now?
Because there are virtually no symptoms, high
blood pressure can go unnoticed for years. It’s often
called the “silent killer” for that very reason.
How can I prevent high blood pressure?
The good news is, high blood pressure can be
easily detected with a few simple screenings. Once diagnosed,
your doctor can work with you to plan lifestyle changes and
possibly prescribe medication that can help you control it.
What kind of screenings can you do for high
blood pressure?
Your blood pressure can vary from minute to
minute, so it’s important to get an accurate reading
in a variety of situations, not just in our office. Ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring allows us to obtain a snapshot of
your blood pressure over a continuous, 24-hour period for
a more accurate diagnosis.
Here’s how it works:
- The monitor, about the size of a portable radio, is worn
on the belt.
- The monitor is connected to a cuff worn on the upper
arm (where it can be concealed underneath your clothes).
- Blood pressure readings are automatically collected every
half hour while you’re awake, and once an hour while
you’re asleep.
- You’ll also be asked to keep a brief diary of what
you are doing during each reading.
After the 24-hour monitoring period, the readings
are compiled and analyzed. If you have high blood pressure,
the information will help us customize your treatment for
the best results.
I’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure,
but I’ve never used a monitor.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood
pressure, but have not used an ambulatory blood pressure monitor,
there’s a good chance you might not have high blood
pressure at all.
Studies have shown that 21% of men and 54% of
women* only show high blood pressure readings in stressful
situations, like when they’re sitting in the doctor’s
office. The ambulatory blood pressure monitor takes readings
over a 24-hour period to provide a more accurate view of your
blood pressure.
As a result of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring,
hundreds of our patients have been able to reduce or eliminate
the need for blood pressure medication completely.
Get treated early
When caught early, high blood pressure is easily
detected and highly treatable. With proper diagnosis and preventive
care, you can enjoy a vital, healthy, and active lifestyle.
If you think you might be at risk for developing
high blood pressure, or may have been previously misdiagnosed,
please call us at 949.653.5810 to schedule
a consultation. You may also send a safe, secure message through
RelayHealth.
* MB McDonald, CMAJ, Aug. 10, 1999 |
