Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is extremely common but hard to self-diagnose. Regular well visits coupled with frequent blood pressure checks are the way to go if you think you are at risk.
It is estimated more than half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but only 1 in 4 are managing it effectively. There are virtually no symptoms that can be tied directly to hypertension, so the only way to receive a diagnosis is a blood pressure screening on your own or at your primary care office.
Dr. James Baronas, a family medicine physician at GBMC Health Partners Primary Care—Jonestown, located at 1017 E. Baltimore Street, reinforced regular checks, especially with a family history or if you have other chronic illnesses, as they can be precursors or run concurrent with hypertension.
“Blood pressure is an important modifiable risk factor for prevention of cardiovascular disease and frequent screenings are key to help prevent these issues,” he said.
With hypertension, the heart is required to pump blood against a higher pressure than it is equipped to, stretching the walls of the arteries beyond its healthy limit and placing a strain on the body. This strain can be a leading contributor to heart failure, chronic kidney disease, including the need for dialysis, stroke and heart attack.
A normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 or lower, and high blood pressure is considered 140/90 or higher. The longer high blood pressure is left untreated, the more likely a patient will experience the negative consequences. Men are more likely than woman to have hypertension and Black adults are more likely than white or Hispanic adults to be diagnosed.
Because blood pressure numbers can fluctuate, Dr. Baronas and his team will take a comprehensive look at a patient’s medical history, blood pressure readings over time, other risk factors or chronic conditions being managed as well as circumstantial life events like stressful events, pregnancy or other short-term contributors to assess a patient’s overall treatment plan.
“Particularly at GBMC Health Partners, our coordinated and comprehensive approach works with patients to help them manage chronic high blood pressure according to their own unique needs,” Dr. Baronas said.
Typically, Dr. Baronas prefers to start a treatment plan with lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise/movement, establishing a healthy, low sodium diet with low preservative foods and lowering stress before moving to medications. But if medications are the way to go, they can be a helpful and effective way to manage high blood pressure.
“Lowering blood pressure takes a commitment to lifestyle changes,” Dr. Baronas said. “In cases where medication is needed, there are many safe and effective blood pressure medications with little to no side effects that can be prescribed.”
Though it can be scary if left undiagnosed, there are ways to manage hypertension. Find a provider you trust to manage your care with you.
