Your Trusted HypertensionTreatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High blood pressure is extremely common, affecting approximately 120 million adults and contributing to 700,000 deaths on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, only 20% or one in five adults have control of their elevated blood pressure.
Symptoms of Hypertension
Hypertension is often called the “silent killer,” because most patients don’t have symptoms. If blood pressure is extremely high, symptoms may include the following:
- Headache
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Bloody urine
Risk Factors of Hypertension
High blood pressure is not caused by a single problem or risk factor. There are genetic, environmental, lifestyle, hormonal, drug-related, sleep, and inflammatory causes.
Poor diet
Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
Excessive NSAID use
Diabetes
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Poor sleep
Abnormal hormone levels
Environmental
Narrowing of kidney arteries
Polycystic kidney disease
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)
Diagnosis of Hypertension
High blood pressure, or uncontrolled high blood pressure, is a diagnosis made by your primary doctor or a cardiologist.
- Multiple blood pressure readings are taken to confirm proper measurement.
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement
- Multiple nurse visits to confirm blood pressure readings
- Blood & urine tests to check hormone levels
- Ultrasound test to check kidney arteries
- CT or MRI of the chest and abdomen
Treatment of Hypertension
High blood pressure can be treated with medications. Rarely, patients may require other forms of treatment (procedures, surgery) to control blood pressure if lifestyle changes and medications are ineffective.
Lifestyle changes include weight loss, increased physical activity, controlling blood sugar levels, stopping smoking, and eating a healthy diet. Other potential changes can be discussed with your cardiology team.
There are several medications used to manage hypertension. Please review your medications and discuss options for medical therapy with your cardiology team.
Experienced Care for Hypertension Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you are having difficulty controlling your blood pressure, please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular to schedule an appointment.
