High Blood Pressure

Many people have potentially life-threatening hypertension without realizing anything’s wrong until they suffer a heart attack or stroke. Board-certified internist Vincent Esparza, MD, at Persona Healthcare in Austin, Texas, encourages patients to attend regular screenings so they can get vital treatment. With a personalized hypertension management plan, your chances of a long, healthy life increase significantly. Call Persona Healthcare for expert advice on managing hypertension, or book an in-person or telemedicine appointment online today.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension — generally known as high blood pressure — is a significant cause of potentially life-threatening health issues, particularly in older adults.

When your blood pressure is too high, the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries reaches dangerous levels. This can increase your risk of severe conditions, including:

• Vision problems
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure

Healthy blood pressure is below 120 systolic (measured when the heart beats) and 80 diastolic (measured between heartbeats). A blood pressure reading indicates you have hypertension when the systolic pressure exceeds 130 and the diastolic pressure is over 80.

One of the most challenging aspects of hypertension is its lack of obvious symptoms. Most people don’t realize they have it until they undergo a blood pressure check or complications arise.

What does hypertension management involve?

Persona Healthcare’s hypertension management service identifies high blood pressure, offers advice and treatments to return it to healthier levels, and monitors your health in the long term.

Regular blood pressure measurements are vital for early detection and prevention of serious health issues. To assess the impact of high blood pressure, Dr. Esparza may recommend additional tests, including:

• Lipid profile
• Adrenal and thyroid gland function
• Urinalysis
• Eye exams
• Ultrasound imaging
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Doppler ultrasound

These tests help detect potential damage to vital organs like the heart and kidneys, as well as to your blood vessels.

What treatments are part of hypertension management?

Managing hypertension often begins with lifestyle changes. Adopting healthier approaches can lower your risk of developing hypertension or help reduce your blood pressure if it’s already high. Key lifestyle modifications include:

• Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Reducing salt intake
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Cutting down on saturated fats
• Managing stress effectively

A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products lowers blood pressure and improves overall health. If your blood pressure remains too high despite lifestyle changes, Dr. Esparza may prescribe medications to help bring it under control.

If you haven’t checked your blood pressure recently, arrange an evaluation to ensure it’s within a healthy range. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents complications and supports long-term health.

Call Persona Healthcare to schedule a blood pressure check or book an in-person or telemedicine appointment online today.