Identifying & Treating Hypertension in Northern California


Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a cardiovascular condition that occurs when the pressure inside your blood vessels is abnormally high. The two systems of measurement are systolic and diastolic. Healthy blood pressure has a top number reading (systolic) of 120 or less and a bottom number reading (diastolic) of 80 or less.

Take control of your health and request a screening for high blood pressure in Northern California. To find the right expert at a location near you, use our search tool to Find a Doctor. At Dignity Health North State, we offer heart and vascular services to help you and your loved ones achieve optimal health.

 

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

High blood pressure affects around 70 to 80 million (or one in three) people in the US. While it is extremely common, only about half of those affected have it under control.

Doctors often refer to hypertension as the “silent” disease because symptoms usually don’t appear, even with dangerously high blood pressure readings. Without screening and proper treatment, high blood pressure can cause irreversible damage over a period of time. The best thing to do is get your blood pressure checked regularly.

 

High Blood Pressure Causes

Causes of high blood pressure depend on whether it is primary or secondary hypertension. The cause of primary (or essential) hypertension is still unknown. This is the most common. Secondary hypertension is caused by another medical condition, such as a kidney problem or thyroid disease. 

Your risk of primary hypertension goes up with:

  • Being overweight
  • Family history of high blood pressure
  • Older age
  • African American ethnicity

 

High Blood Pressure Treatment at Dignity Health North State

Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, aneurysm, stroke, heart attack, and organ damage. 

You can take an active approach toward preventing high blood pressure by:

  • Not smoking
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet (low in salt)
  • Limiting alcohol
  • Managing stress

At Dignity Health North State, your primary care doctor will initially treat primary hypertension with the lifestyle modifications listed above. If needed, medication may also be prescribed to help control your blood pressure. For secondary hypertension, our doctors focus on treating the underlying problem.

If you’d like to be screened for hypertension, meet with your doctor or visit Dignity Health North State. 

Quality treatment for high blood pressure in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA, is provided at Dignity Health North State hospitals and outpatient care centers.