High Blood Pressure

Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiologists, General Cardiology, Cardiology, Cardiologists & Cardiologist to Women's Health & Cardiology located in Lanham, Bowie, Camp Springs, Largo and Laurel, MD

High Blood Pressure services offered in Lanham, Bowie, Camp Springs, Largo and Laurel, MD

High blood pressure can cause potentially deadly heart attacks and strokes without warning. If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, visit Capitol Cardiology Associates. At offices in Lanham, Bowie, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Laurel, and Largo, Maryland, a team of experienced cardiologists provides prompt blood pressure screenings and effective treatments to return your blood pressure to a healthy level. To arrange your blood pressure screening, call your nearest office today or request an appointment at Capitol Cardiology Associates using the online form.

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High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (hypertension) describes a condition where the force of blood pumping along your arteries rises to an unhealthy level. Excessive pressure damages your arteries and could lead to a stroke, heart attack, and other serious health problems.

Every time your heart beats, it pushes blood along the arteries and veins. This puts pressure on your arteries, which isn’t a problem as long as it’s within certain boundaries. Healthy blood pressure measures 120 or below systolic (as your heart beats) and 80 or below diastolic (in between beats).

Elevated blood pressure, where it’s higher than optimal but not yet dangerous, is 120-129 systolic and 80 or under diastolic. You reach stage one hypertension with 130-139 systolic and 80-89 diastolic. Stage two hypertension is 140 or above systolic and 90 or above diastolic.

The higher your blood pressure rises, the greater your risk of developing severe, potentially life-threatening cardiovascular conditions.

How do I avoid high blood pressure?

Most cases of high blood pressure result from an unhealthy lifestyle — carrying excess body weight, lack of exercise, eating too much fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar, smoking, and excessive stress are often the main culprits.

To avoid high blood pressure, you need to address any of these issues that apply to you.

The other crucial factor in managing your blood pressure is to have regular blood pressure readings.

Having your blood pressure checked is a simple procedure that most health care providers can perform. They wrap a cuff around your upper arm that inflates and tightens. The cuff’s pressure can be intense for a few seconds, but then releases.

Your provider takes the two measurements (systolic and diastolic) to produce your blood pressure reading. They may take several readings to get the most accurate picture.

Having these tests regularly ensures that you can receive treatment before you suffer a stroke or heart attack. This is particularly important because high blood pressure causes no symptoms — you might never know you had it without routine screenings.

How is high blood pressure treated?

The Capitol Cardiology Associates team offers patients expert advice on making lifestyle changes that reduce blood pressure naturally. Examples include: