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High blood pressure is known as a “silent killer,” because it causes no symptoms and can be deadly if left untreated. It’s quite common, with 1 out of every 3 people in the US over the age of 20 having high blood pressure. Regular blood pressure screenings and treatment for high blood pressure is available from San Marcos Family Medicine for patients living in San Marcos, Texas, and the surrounding Central Texas communities.
Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the veins. It’s measured in millimeters of mercury and involves 2 numbers. The systolic pressure is the first number, and it’s the force of the blood against the artery walls during heartbeats. The diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats, and it’s written second.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is defined based on blood pressure measurements. Blood pressure can fall into several categories, which include:
High blood pressure has no apparent cause, but inactivity, diet, obesity, genetics, and older age can all put someone at increased risk of developing this condition. The only way to know whether or not a patient has high blood pressure is to have regular blood pressure screenings.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to:
To avoid these risks, patients need to partner with the doctors at San Marcos Family Medicine to monitor and treat their blood pressure.
A combination of medications and lifestyle changes can make a difference in high blood pressure. Before prescribing medications, the doctors at San Marcos Family Medicine will help patients with lifestyle changes, such as:
When lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient to manage blood pressure, or blood pressure levels are extremely high, blood pressure management may require medications, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and alpha-blockers. The skilled physicians at San Marcos Family Medicine can help patients determine the best treatment option.