Blood Pressure is a Real Concern

Michael J. Lyons, D.O., Chief Medical Officer, Coastal Gateway Health Center

My Blood Pressure Is Fine.

  Approximately 1 in 2 adults in the United States have hypertension (High Blood Pressure).  This equates to approximately 116 million people.  Of those 116 million people with hypertension only 26% have controlled hypertension.  Hypertension is known to increase the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are two of the leading cause of death in the United States.

Doc, I feel fine.

  Hypertension is called the ‘silent killer’.  Nearly one third of the patients with hypertension do not know it.  The most common symptom with hypertension, is no symptom at all.  The few people that have symptoms can suffer from headaches, nosebleeds, fatigue, visual changes, chest pain, as well as others.

So, Doc, what do I do?

  You must be mindful and check your blood pressure at least twice a year.  In an adult, if your blood pressure is greater than 130/80, see your doctor.  Catching hypertension early and starting on lifestyle changes and possibly medications is important in decreasing your risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, sexual dysfunction, angina, and peripheral artery disease.  It is important to make changes that matter, such as increasing your aerobic exercise, losing weight, decreasing your salt intake, and stopping smoking.

But Doc, I am diabetic.

  Unfortunately, there are common diseases that tend to run together which can intensify the damaging effect on our vascular system.  Hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome all work together in a way that is detrimental to our bodies.  So, you need to screen for and then control each of these diseases to help prevent the detrimental changes.

Should I be concerned?

  Do not be.  We have good medications and lifestyle changes that can help control hypertension, as well as other disease states.  You are not alone.  See your provider, create a plan, follow it, monitor the outcome, adjust as needed, and improve your health.  Remember, a healthier future is within your reach.

  Coastal Gateway Health Center can be reached by phone at 409.296.4444 or by email at [email protected].  For more information regarding our services and programs, please visit our website at www.coastalgatewayhc.org or find and follow us on Facebook.  We are proud to be #yourcommunityhealthcenter.