High Blood Pressure

Hypertension increases the risk of many health complications, including heart failure. Early intervention is critical to manage high blood pressure. Your board-certified preventive medicine specialist at N-of-1 Medicine in Santa Monica, California, can help lower blood pressure, prevent hypertension complications, and always take a whole-person approach to care. Call the preventive and obesity medicine practice to learn more and schedule a visit. Or request an appointment online at your earliest convenience.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is an increase in the force of blood against artery walls that’s consistently too high. It’s a significant health problem that leads to health complications. 

Addressing hypertension before it damages blood vessels is critical to prevent health problems and maintain your quality of life.

Can I have high blood pressure without warning signs?

High blood pressure often develops without obvious warning signs or symptoms. By the time it causes symptoms, the condition is already dangerous. Warning signs of high blood pressure include:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Severe headaches
• Visual changes
• Nosebleeds
• Chest pain
• Fatigue

Schedule an appointment at N-of-1 Medicine promptly if you experience high blood pressure symptoms.

What are the complications of unmanaged high blood pressure?

Hypertension can cause dangerously high blood pressure, damaging blood vessel walls, and can lead to severe complications, such as:

Heart failure

Persistent high blood pressure strains the heart, demanding it work harder to pump blood. This leads to heart failure, meaning the heart can't effectively meet the body’s demands for oxygen and blood.

Atrial fibrillation

High blood pressure can lead to atrial fibrillation, where the heart’s upper chambers beat too fast and irregularly. This results in poor blood flow, potentially causing blood clots and increasing the risk of stroke.

Stroke

Strokes are caused by a disruption in blood supply to the brain, causing brain cells to die because of the lack of oxygen. Unmanaged hypertension damages blood vessels in the brain and increases the risk.

How is high blood pressure treated?

N-of-1 Medicine takes a whole-person approach to high blood pressure and hypertension. Individualized treatment plans may include:

Routine physicals

Routine physicals involve regular checkups to monitor blood pressure, identify early signs of high blood pressure, hypertension, and heart disease, and assess your overall physical and mental health.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle medicine can help lower blood pressure. It often requires specific changes and modifications, like regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

Nutritional counseling

Nutrition focuses on a balanced diet, emphasizing the importance of low-sodium, heart-healthy foods to manage blood pressure effectively.

Medication

Your N-of-1 Medicine specialist, when necessary, can prescribe medication to manage hypertension. These medicines help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications like heart disease and stroke.

Call N-of-1 Medicine to learn more about available high blood pressure treatments and schedule a visit. Or request an appointment online today, which is fast and convenient.