Hypertension Treatment in New Jersey
Hypertension is a serious but common medical condition that can cause further health problems down the line if left untreated. Nirvana Healthcare Management Services offers family-oriented medical practices in East Orange and Newark, New Jersey, that aims to provide high-quality primary care services to keep our community healthy. The health and wellbeing of our patients are of the utmost importance to us, and that is why we treat all of our patients as if they were members of our own family.
Learn more about hypertension diagnosis and treatment at Nirvana’s primary care locations: Salerno Medical Associates, Metropolitan Medical Group, Roseville Medical Society, and North Ward Medical Arts. Treatments are also available through CHOP/SHOP which provides house visits to eligible patients.
What Is Hypertension?
Blood pressure is measured by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the degree of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when there is an overly strong push of blood on your artery walls. This can lead to damaged blood vessels and other heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, and heart disease or failure. The more your blood pressure rises and the longer it goes unchecked, the more damage it does.
Unfortunately, hypertension often shows no signs or symptoms, even when blood pressure readings reach dangerous levels, which is why it’s often known as the silent killer. Occasionally, some people with high blood pressure may experience symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, but these symptoms aren’t consistent and usually don’t appear until the condition has progressed to a dangerous stage. The good news is regular monitoring of blood pressure makes it easy to detect hypertension, and once you’re diagnosed, you can start working with your doctor to reduce it.
Hypertension Diagnosis
Certain risk factors may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, which include:
- Older age
- Race (more common in those of African descent)
- Family history of hypertension
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
How We Treat Hypertension
Hypertension is rather easy to diagnose with routine doctor’s appointments, as blood pressure is almost always measured. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, while blood pressure is considered elevated if it reads 130/80 Hg or higher. Your physician at Metropolitan Medical Group will measure your blood pressure with a cuff, and if yours is elevated, the doctor will discuss treatment options with you. There are some traditional treatment options for hypertension, which include:
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle adjustments is usually the standard, first-line treatment option for high blood pressure. Some recommendations your physician may make for healthier living include:
- Getting regular physical exercise
- Reducing stress levels via meditation, mindfulness, etc
- Avoiding or quitting smoking
- Managing bodyweight
- Eating a balanced diet with limited amounts of alcohol, salt, and junk food
Medication
When it comes to treating high blood pressure, some patients will need to take specialized medications tailored to their individual needs and circumstances to lower their levels. Diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha-beta blockers, and others are common medications used to treat high blood pressure. Some blood pressure medications function better when taken in combination with others, and it may take some trial-and-error to find the most effective solution. As a precaution, always take your blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed, without skipping doses or abruptly stopping.
Hypertension Treatment in NJ
A thorough treatment plan and trustworthy medical practitioners are required to successfully manage high blood pressure. Trust the primary care physicians at Nirvana Healthcare Management Services to diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases in patients of all ages with compassion. Make your next appointment at Nirvana Healthcare Management Services today if you’re worried about hypertension or another medical condition.