High blood pressure quadruples your chances of dying of a stroke and it’s a major risk factor for a heart attack as well. Many people with uncontrolled hypertension are unaware they have it. This ‘silent’ disease rarely causes symptoms but can damage your body for decades without you knowing it.
At Burlington Medical Center we are devoted to helping you keep your heart healthy and maintain overall good health. As the leading cause of death in the United States, everyone should be concerned about heart health. Lowering your risk of heart disease can help you live a longer and healthier life.
Did you know that only half of those with high blood pressure have it under control? The following are some of the most crucial reasons to get hypertension in check.
High blood pressure is bad news for your heart. The heart muscle is tasked with the job of pumping oxygenated blood throughout your body. Every organ and tissue in your body needs blood to function properly.
When blood pressure is too high, the heart must work harder to do its job. This causes part of the heart to thicken, increasing the risk for a host of issues, including heart attack and heart failure.
Close to 80% of people who have their first stroke have high blood pressure. Left uncontrolled, you’re at great risk of stroke if you have hypertension. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted. A blockage in the arteries leading to the brain is the cause of most strokes.
A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Conversely, your chances of a stroke are low if you work with your doctor to get your blood pressure within a healthy range.
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure. Blood pressure that is too high can damage the delicate filtering system of the kidneys over time, preventing blood vessels in the kidneys from working properly. This can lead to chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure. The good news is keeping your blood pressure under control prevents kidney problems.
Uncontrolled hypertension during your middle age and later life years raise the risk of developing dementia. Studies such as this one showed that lowering blood pressure to 120/80 protects cognitive health. As with blood vessels in other parts of the body, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain. Keeping your blood pressure under control is key to maintaining brain health later in life.
Keeping your blood pressure under control is vital for your overall health. Managing your blood pressure starts with knowing your numbers and what they mean. When you visit Burlington Medical Center for a checkup, internal medicine specialist and endocrinologist Dr. Sam Morayati will check your blood pressure and discuss your health concerns.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. The first number is your systolic blood pressure. This refers to the amount of force against your blood vessels each time the heart contracts. The second number – diastolic blood pressure – refers to the pressure against your blood vessel walls in between heartbeats.
Keeping your blood pressure in the normal range keeps you out of the danger zone.
A healthy heart is vital to your overall health. Through routine checkups, your health provider can detect potential problems before they start or become worse. Our team can help you on your path to good health.
To learn more and for all of your primary care needs, contact us at Burlington Medical Center to schedule an appointment with Dr. Morayati at our Burlington, North Carolina office. We also offer in-person and telehealth appointments.
