Hypertension

Pinnacle Health Group

Primary Care Practice located in Tampa, FL & Plant City, FL

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, can cause severe health complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. But many men and women don’t realize they have high blood pressure because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. The experts at Pinnacle Health Group have the skills to diagnose hypertension before it can have a devastating impact on your health. To learn more, call the Tampa, Florida, office today, or make an appointment online.

Hypertension Q & A

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by elevated pressure within the arteries. When you have high blood pressure, your heart has to work harder to move your blood through your circulatory system.

High blood pressure can also damage the walls of your blood vessels, leaving a hard residue called plaque inside of them. Plaque narrows the diameter of your arteries, making it even more difficult for your heart to move your blood through your body.

If you smoke, you’re overweight, or you are African-American, you have a higher risk of developing hypertension. As men and women age, their risk for the condition also increases.

What causes high blood pressure?

There are two kinds of hypertension: primary and secondary. Primary hypertension (sometimes called essential hypertension) develops gradually over many years with no apparent cause.

Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying medical condition. It may also be caused by alcohol abuse, certain medications, and some illegal drugs.

Some of the conditions that can cause secondary hypertension include:

Obstructive sleep apnea
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Adrenal gland tumors
Thyroid disease

Congenital birth defects in the heart or other organ systems may also lead to secondary hypertension.

What are the health risks associated with high blood pressure?

Untreated hypertension can cause severe medical conditions. These include:

Heart attack
Heart failure
Irregular heartbeat
Stroke
Aneurysm
Cognitive issues
Dementia
Loss of vision

Hypertension can also cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, and other organs.

How is hypertension treated?

The skilled providers at Pinnacle Health Group can accurately diagnose hypertension with a comprehensive physical exam. If you have hypertension, your provider will work with you to manage your condition with a customized treatment plan based on your overall health, lifestyle, medical history, overall health, and other individual factors. Your plan for controlling your blood pressure may include: