High Blood Pressure Specialist
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South Coast Family Medical Center, Inc.
Walk-In Primary Care located in Laguna Niguel, CA
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts you at increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Affecting more than 100 million Americans, high blood pressure is a serious condition but can be managed with lifestyle changes and/or medication. Lauren Kent Davis, DO, Christopher Michael Davis, DO, and their team at South Coast Family Medical Center offer comprehensive care of high blood pressure and help patients in Laguna Niguel, California, and the surrounding communities keep their high blood pressure under control. Call the office to learn more or walk in for care today.
High Blood Pressure Q & A
What’s high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of pressure blood flow puts on your arteries. High blood pressure puts a more-than-normal strain against the walls of your arteries. This can lead to other health conditions.
A blood pressure reading has two numbers: the top number is the systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure on your blood vessels as your heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure between heartbeats.
A normal blood pressure reading is between 91/61 and 119/79. You might be at risk for developing high blood pressure if your reading is between 120/80 and 129/80. Stage 1 hypertension begins when your blood pressure is 130/80 to 139/89.
What causes high blood pressure?
Blood pressure increases when your arteries get narrower and your heart has to pump more blood to fuel your muscles, tissues, and organs. For many people, there’s no clear cause of high blood pressure, but several risk factors increase the likelihood that you’ll develop the condition.
High blood pressure is linked to:
- Age
- Race
- Family
- Weight
- Activity level
- Tobacco and/or alcohol use
- Stress
- Diet
Some chronic conditions increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. These conditions include sleep apnea, kidney disease, and diabetes.
What complications can high blood pressure cause?
Uncontrolled hypertension can damage your blood vessels and organs over time. High blood pressure over an extended period of time puts increased stress on your artery walls and your heart. Some complications include heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
Weakened blood vessels can cause kidney damage and eye damage. High blood pressure can also lead to metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects your body’s metabolism. Metabolic syndrome can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and an increased risk of stroke.
How’s high blood pressure managed?
The team at South Coast Family Medical Center offers comprehensive care of high blood pressure. Dr. Kent Davis can recommend lifestyle changes to help you manage your high blood pressure.
Switching to a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains and limited salt can make a big difference in your hypertension. Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
For some patients, medication can help manage hypertension along with lifestyle changes. To find out what type of high blood pressure treatment is right for you, visit Dr. Kent Davis at South Coast Family Medical Center.
