Hypertension

Nearly half of US adults have hypertension (high blood pressure), which raises their risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health complications. At CHAP Med in Sherman Oaks, California, family and osteopathic medicine specialists and their highly trained team screen for and help you effectively manage hypertension to avoid life-threatening complications. Schedule an in-person or telemedicine evaluation at CHAP Med by phone or request one online today. Walk-ins by established patients are welcome.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects pressure inside blood vessels. It causes the force of blood pushing against artery walls to remain consistently high, meaning the heart must work harder to pump blood into peripheral body tissues. Over time, untreated hypertension significantly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

Hypertension typically produces no symptoms unless the pressure inside blood vessels reaches dangerously high levels. If this occurs, you could experience nosebleeds, headaches, and shortness of breath. These symptoms indicate a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room right away.

What are the risk factors for hypertension?

Common risk factors for developing high blood pressure include:

• Aging
• Family history of hypertension
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Poor dietary habits
• Carrying excess body weight
• Ongoing or extreme stress
• High sodium intake
• Low potassium intake
• Pregnancy
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Chronic diseases

Among the chronic conditions that raise the risk of hypertension are sleep apnea, diabetes, and kidney disease.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

The CHAP Med experts diagnose hypertension using a blood pressure cuff and a blood pressure monitor or stethoscope. They evaluate the pressure inside your arteries to determine if you need treatment to lower the risk of complications.

The CHAP Med team also weighs you, reviews your lifestyle and medical history, and completes a physical exam. They’ll probably order blood tests, heart-function tests, imaging services, and/or other diagnostic procedures to detect or rule out specific medical concerns. They’ll use the collected data to develop a personalized treatment plan.

How is hypertension treated?

Treating hypertension often consists of making healthy lifestyle changes and/or taking blood pressure-lowering medication. It’s helpful to adopt the following healthy habits if you haven’t already:

• Maintain an ideal body weight
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake
• Eat a diet heavy in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant-based foods
• Exercise regularly
• Manage stress
• Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night
• Take dietary supplements and medication exactly as instructed

You might need a specialist referral if you develop signs of heart disease or have a complex medical condition requiring surgery. Follow up with your CHAP Med provider routinely and monitor your blood pressure at home to ensure that your treatment is effective.

Call the office or request an appointment online today to schedule an in-person or telemedicine hypertension evaluation with the CHAP Med experts. Established patients are welcome to walk in.