Expert Treatment for High Blood Pressure in Arizona

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, results when the pressure inside your blood vessels is too high. High blood pressure affects between 70 and 80 million Americans. Only about half of these people have the condition under control. Uncontrolled, high blood pressure raises your risk for serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, heart disease, aneurysm, stroke, and organ damage. 

At Dignity Health of Arizona, we are dedicated to helping you control your high blood pressure and getting you on track to a heart-healthy lifestyle. To learn more about how our experts can help you diagnose and treat high blood pressure in Arizona, Find a Doctor online or call (844) 852-0648.

 

Common Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

There are no noticeable symptoms of hypertension, which is why it is often considered a “silent” disease. Some people do not even have symptoms when their blood pressure reading is dangerously high, resulting in irreversible damage.

 

High Blood Pressure: Diagnosis, Causes, & Risk Factors

Your doctor will take two measurements to screen you for high blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top blood pressure number. It measures the pressure when your heart is contracting and pushing blood through your body. It should be less than 120. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom blood pressure number. It measure pressure when your heart is relaxing and filling with blood. This number should be less than 80. 

There are two types of hypertension. Primary hypertension (o)r essential hypertension is the most common type, It develops slowly over time with no known cause. Secondary hypertension is caused by another underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease, kidney problems, or certain medications. This type of blood pressure is often reversible when the underlying cause is treated.

Primary hypertension is typically diagnosed by a doctor when you have have consistently high readings over multiple office visits. While there is no known cause, certain risk factors increase your chances of developing primary hypertension, including:

  • Family history
  • Age
  • Gender
  • African American ethnicity
  • Obesity
  • Lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking, poor diet, drinking alcohol, and not exercising

 

Treating High Blood Pressure at Dignity Health: What to Expect

If you treat the underlying cause of secondary hypertension, your blood pressure usually returns to normal. Treating primary hypertension usually involves lifestyle changes and medications, including: 

  • ARBs (a)ngiotensin II receptor blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Alpha blockers
  • Beta blockers
  • ACE (a)ngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Dignity Health is nationally recognized leader in heart and vascular care, offering advanced diagnostics, prevention strategies, clinical research, and leading-edge treatments. We also offer a free cardiovascular risk educational tool to help you assess your cardiovascular health and identify medical and lifestyle conditions that may lead to cardiovascular problems in the future. It will also educate you on the many ways Dignity Health can assist you in treatment and prevention with humankindness.

Serving patients with personalized care, Dignity Health treats high blood pressure in Arizona.