Hypertension Treatment in Wichita

A very common condition, hypertension, or high blood pressure is when the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. Because blood pressure is a measure of how much blood your heart pumps and how resistant your arteries are to blood flow, narrow arteries generally mean high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can cause a great deal of health problems including heart disease.

Many people with high blood pressure never know because it is common to not have any symptoms.  Some people may experience headaches, chest pain or swelling in their legs; however, it is important that you are regularly seen by a doctor to have your blood pressure checked.

If you are experiencing these symptoms or would like to be screened for high blood pressure, contact KU-Wichita Internal Medicine today to schedule a consultation.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

Because high blood pressure is so common, there are a number of different causes. Many of the most common include:

• Obesity
• A high sodium diet
• Alcohol or tobacco abuse
• Advanced age
• High stress
• Chronic conditions or a family history of high blood pressure
• Pregnancy
• Lack of physical activity

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose high blood pressure, a healthcare professional will measure your blood pressure using a gauge that goes around your arm. This gauge will measure both systolic pressure, the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure, or the pressure between beats.
In addition to a blood pressure test, your doctor may suggest further monitoring, such as standing or walking blood pressure measurements, or tests such as urinalysis, or blood tests that may include checking your cholesterol.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe a medication. Some of the most common types may include:

• Diuretics
• Beta Blockers
• Renin Inhibitors
• Angiotensin-converting and receptor blockers
• Alpha and alpha-beta blockers

In addition, there are several lifestyle changes that you will be asked to make to treat your hypertension. These may include:

• Decreasing sodium in your diet
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Losing weight
• Creating consistent exercise plans
• Practicing relaxation and breathing
• Eating healthy foods