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High Blood Pressure

Health Solutions -  - Board Certified Family Medicine

Health Solutions

Board Certified Family Medicine & Board Certified Pain Medicine Physicians located in Tinley Park, Rockford, and Olympia Fields, IL, & Munster, IN

High blood pressure raises your risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including heart disease. To keep your blood pressure under control, the board-certified family medicine practitioners at Health Solutions offer a comprehensive approach to care at their offices in Tinley Park, Rockford, and Flossmoor, Illinois, and Munster, Indiana. To schedule an appointment, call the Health Solutions office nearest you or book online today.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

Also called hypertension, high blood pressure happens when the force of blood against your artery walls remains high for a long period of time. Without proper management, high blood pressure can narrow your arteries and put a strain on your heart as it attempts to pump blood to your body’s vital organs.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

What makes high blood pressure difficult to diagnose in many cases is that it often has no symptoms. Most people don’t find out they have high blood pressure until a visit to their doctor. A normal blood pressure range is typically below 120/80 mm Hg. 

Those in stage 1 or 2 hypertension may not notice any changes to their health. If you reach the hypertensive stage (above 180/120 mm Hg), you can experience serious hypertension symptoms, such as:

  • Blurred vision
  • Heart palpitations
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting

In severe cases, high blood pressure can even cause sudden nosebleeds.

What causes high blood pressure?

For many people, there’s no single reason why they have high blood pressure. However, the following risk factors can increase your chances of this condition:

Obesity

Carrying extra weight increases your body’s vascular resistance — the resistance of smooth blood flow — which puts pressure on your heart.

Poor diet

A high-sodium, high-fat diet increases the risk of hypertension and arteriosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. 

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that occurs due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels. If glucose, or sugar, continues to build up in your blood, it can lead to high blood pressure.

Lack of exercise, a family history of hypertension, and consuming too much alcohol regularly can also raise your risk of high blood pressure.

How do doctors treat high blood pressure?

The experienced doctors at Health Solutions take a holistic approach to managing high blood pressure. The first step in creating your personalized treatment plan is evaluating any potential risk factors and lifestyle habits that may be contributing to your condition.

High blood pressure is typically manageable with regular exercise and a healthy diet. The Health Solutions team recommends a diet high in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains. 

If your blood pressure continues to climb even after diet and lifestyle modifications, your doctor can recommend certain medications to control your levels. Health Solutions also offers customized weight loss programs to help you achieve a healthy weight and control your blood pressure.

For a comprehensive approach to high blood pressure care, call Health Solutions, or book an appointment online today.