Hypertension Treatment Clinic in Webster and Pasadena TX

If you are suffering from hypertension, with a blood pressure of 180/120, there are several different warning signs to look out for that will be indicative of the condition. Some of the common warning signs of hypertension include:

• Vision problems, including blurred vision
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Nosebleeds
• Increased confusion or fatigue
• Presence of blood in the urine
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Headaches ranging in severity

If your blood pressure has reached or is higher than 180/120, that is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis and should be addressed as soon as possible by a medical professional. It is also common for those with high blood pressure to not experience any symptoms at all for several years, so even if you don’t display any symptoms, it is recommended to have your blood pressure tested regularly.

Hypertension can be classified into two different categories; primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Specific causes for hypertension are relatively unknown, as it typically develops gradually over several years, often increasing the risk of development in those who maintain unhealthy lifestyle choices that lead to a lack of regular exercise or a poor diet. Some health-related conditions can also increase the risk of developing primary hypertension, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, or a gradual buildup of plaque in the arteries. Secondary hypertension often appears more suddenly and can be directly caused by an underlying health condition or specific medication being used, typically resulting in even higher blood pressure levels than primary hypertension. Health conditions and medications that are known to lead to secondary hypertension include:

• Kidney disease
• Thyroid problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Congenital heart defects
• Tumors of the adrenal glands
• Cold and flu medications
• Birth control pills
• Some pain relievers
• Illicit drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, etc.)

In most cases, the first-line treatment for hypertension is a thiazide diuretic, with many patients suffering from hypertension being prescribed other medications, including an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril, amlodipine besylate, generic hydrochlorothiazide, or a calcium channel blocker. It is common for physicians to prescribe lifestyle changes along with medication to help lower blood pressure levels quickly and over the long term. These lifestyle changes often consist of maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining a healthy balanced diet that limits sodium intake and increases potassium intake, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy exercise regimen. These lifestyle changes may take some time to fully implement and provide longer-term benefits, so prescribed medications are often necessary for quickly lowering blood pressure to a healthy, sustainable level to ensure that any potential side effects of hypertension are limited right away wherever possible.

Hypertension can be distinguished by severity according to stage, with each stage representing a specific range of blood pressure readings to indicate the severity of the condition. A healthy blood pressure reading is typically less than 120/80, so a reading that is between 120 and 129/80 is considered to be elevated blood pressure levels, also referred to as prehypertension, and is indicative that the patient is at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The next stages include a blood pressure reading of 130–139/80–89, followed by the next stage with a reading of 140–149/90 or higher. This stage includes all higher blood pressure readings until they are higher than 180/120, at which point the condition is considered to be a hypertensive crisis and requires immediate medical attention. If you are within the first couple of stages of hypertension, your physician will likely recommend some lifestyle changes to prevent your blood pressure from increasing to a more dangerous level and hopefully reduce your blood pressure to a healthy level without having to introduce prescription medications if possible.

At Primary Care of Clear Lake, Dr. Niraj Choudhary, MD, and Dr. Smriti Choudhary, MD, offer the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic developments for addressing patients with hypertension. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Webster and Pasadena, TX. We serve patients from Webster TX, Pasadena TX, South Houston TX, Brookwood TX, Seabrook TX, Bacliff TX, and surrounding areas.