High Blood Pressure

Cardiology Specialists of Orange County

Board Certified in Cardiovascular Diseases & Interventional Cardiology located in Santa Ana, CA; Newport Beach, CA; & Irvine, CA

Roughly 1 in 3 American adults are at risk of heart disease and stroke because they have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is usually not recognized until it has already caused damage, which is why it is called the silent killer. At Cardiology Specialists of Orange County in Santa Ana, Irvine, and Newport Beach, California, the team provides treatment for potentially dangerous heart-related conditions like high blood pressure. If you have headaches, fatigue, or a family history of hypertension, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

When your heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout your body’s vessels, it exerts pressure on the walls of those vessels. If this pressure remains elevated for a prolonged period of time, you have high blood pressure.

Also known as essential hypertension, high blood pressure puts stress on your heart and blood vessels. This stress causes damage to your blood vessels, where cholesterol plaque can form. As buildup occurs, your arteries grow narrow and your blood pressure rises even more.

If your blood pressure remains high for too long, it can lead to serious complications like a heart attack or congestive heart failure.

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a common condition that can lead to serious health complications, including:

Stroke
Aneurysm
Arrhythmias
Heart attack
Kidney disease
Congestive heart failure

You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by avoiding unhealthy lifestyle choices that cause the condition.

What causes high blood pressure?

There are two types of high blood pressure. If you have primary hypertension, there’s no apparent cause.

Secondary hypertension typically occurs suddenly and is due to another health condition, such as drug or alcohol abuse, thyroid or kidney disorders, and certain medications.

Chronic conditions like kidney disease and diabetes can also increase your risk of high blood pressure. Additional causes of high blood pressure include:

Smoking
A family history of high blood pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea
Being over 65 years of age
Being overweight or obese
Stressful or sedentary lifestyles
Diet high in salt or low in potassium and vitamin D

The team at Cardiology Specialists of Orange County works closely with you to evaluate your risks of high blood pressure and manage your condition before serious complications arise.

How do you treat high blood pressure?

To treat your high blood pressure, the team might recommend medication in addition to lifestyle modifications that include:

Stress management techniques
Weight management and weight-loss programs
High fiber, low-fat diets with fruits and vegetables
Exercise plans to increase activity and cardiac health

Cardiology Specialists of Orange County closely monitors your high blood pressure through regular testing that might include ambulatory monitors, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms.

For help managing your high blood pressure, call Cardiology Specialists of Orange County or schedule an appointment online today.