Hypertension in Denton, TX

Affecting tens of millions of adults throughout the country, hypertension is the medical term for having consistently high blood pressure. Known as the "silent killer," hypertension is a condition that occurs commonly in people of many ages and results when the blood pushes against the blood vessels with heightened force, causing damage to the arteries and making it more difficult for the blood to travel. If not managed, hypertension can lead to a host of deadly and damaging diseases, like heart failure, stroke, sexual dysfunction, heart disease, kidney disease, and more. If you're diagnosed with high blood pressure, our physicians at Health Services of North Texas (HSNT) will work with you one-on-one to develop a treatment plan that restores your health, keep you moving, and allows you to enjoy a long, happy life. Don't hesitate to reach out to one of our offices in Wylie, Denton, or Plano, TX if you suspect you might be experiencing hypertension. 

There are a variety of risk factors for high blood pressure, many of which you can control. Those include:

• Poor diet
• Lack of regular exercise
• Being overweight
• Using tobacco or alcohol
• Lack of sleep or overuse of caffeine

Some of the other risk factors for hypertension include:

• Age (with older people being more prone to high blood pressure)
• Genetics
• Race
• Other health conditions

During your treatment, we'll review lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of hypertension.

There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary. Both of these forms have different causes with primary hypertension developing due to your lifestyle habits, genes, or the environment; meanwhile, secondary hypertension forms as a result of preexisting illness, such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, and more. While not everyone with hypertension will notice any symptoms, some of the signs of high blood pressure that patients could experience include:

• Headaches
• Flushed or red face
• Changes in vision
• Blood in the urine
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek out medical care immediately. It's important for hypertension to be diagnosed and managed as soon as possible to ensure that your health is preserved.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is diagnosed through a series of blood pressure readings taken by healthcare professionals at Health Services of North Texas. The process involves measuring the systolic and diastolic pressures, typically presented as a ratio, such as 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure is considered high if it consistently reads 130/80 mm Hg or higher. HSNT's physicians use these readings to assess symptoms and medical history to diagnose hypertension accurately. Patients in Denton, Wylie, or Plano, TX experiencing symptoms or concerns about hypertension are encouraged to seek consultation at HSNT for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan.

Before determining the correct treatment plan for you, our medical providers will first figure out the underlying cause of your high blood pressure. Once we have performed a thorough evaluation of your health, we will work with you on ways to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall wellness. Some patients may benefit solely from lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, while others could benefit from lifestyle improvements paired with drug therapy. At HSNT, our skilled physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners manage hypertension using effective, affordable medications that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. Once diagnosed with hypertension, it is essential to manage your condition to preserve your quality of life.

How many people have hypertension?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of all U.S. adults (47%) have hypertension. That means that roughly 116 million adults have high blood pressure.

What is systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

The two numbers, usually written like 120/80, you are given when your blood pressure is taken are measurements of your overall blood pressure. It is broken into two parts: systolic and diastolic.

• Systolic pressure – the measurement of the force of blood pushing against the heart's walls
• Diastolic pressure – is the ambient blood pressure between beats

What is considered a healthy blood pressure?

For the majority of the population, 120/80 or lower is a healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) begins in the 130-139/80-89 range. Serious, or Stage 2, hypertension is typically higher than 140/90.

Does high blood pressure cause other health problems?

Yes, it can. Hypertension can lead to stroke, eye health issues, kidney disease, heart disease, and atherosclerosis.

Our team at HSNT makes every effort to improve your quality of life to ensure that you have many years to spend with your loved ones. If you are diagnosed with hypertension or suspect that you may have high blood pressure, take the first step to regain your well-being by contacting one of our locations in Denton, Wylie, or Plano, TX. Our team of skilled, compassionate physicians makes it their mission to provide patients with effective, affordable, and accessible treatments that fit their lifestyle.

Request an appointment to learn more about your specific health circumstances today.