Hypertension Monitoring

High blood pressure occurs when your heart pumps through arteries that have narrowed over time. This situation, known as essential or primary hypertension, predisposes you to heart attacks and strokes if not well controlled. Checking your blood pressure is a standard part of any checkup at FMHQ. We will also help you find ways to keep your blood pressure under control.

Monitoring Your Blood Pressure

To take your blood pressure, a doctor or medical assistant will put a manual or electronic inflatable cuff on your arm that produces two numbers, given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The upper number is the systolic pressure (SBP) which measures pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The lower number, known as the diastolic pressure (DBP), measures the pressure in your arteries between beats. As there may be a different pressure reading on each arm, the physician or assistant may try the cuff on each arm.

  • 120/80 or less – normal blood pressure
  • 129/80 – elevated blood pressure
  • 130-139/80-89 – stage 1 hypertension
  • 140/90 – stage 2 hypertension

Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important, but the systolic reading becomes even more significant after age 50. Those over age 65 may have isolated systolic hypertension where the diastolic pressure is normal (less than 80 mm Hg) but systolic pressure is high (greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg).

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Essential hypertension may result from race, age, or family history – factors you cannot control. However, it often results from your lifestyle. Risk factors include:

  • Smoking
  • Too much salt intake
  • Alcohol consumption (in excess of one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men)
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Too little potassium

When high blood pressure is caused by underlying chronic conditions, secondary hypertension results. Such conditions include:

If you have secondary hypertension, Family Medicine Headquarters will work to help you find the cause of the high blood pressure and help treat the underlying condition.

  • Adrenal gland tumors
  • Certain defects you’re born with (congenital) affecting blood vessels
  • Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and some prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
  • Kidney problems
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Thyroid problems

Having untreated high blood pressure can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We take treating your hypertension very seriously at Family Medicine Headquarters. Since blood pressure is often related to lifestyle, we will help you get your weight under control, reduce your use of salt and alcohol, decrease sources of stress, increase physical activity, and encourage you to stop smoking. We will also perform routine tests to check for signs of heart disease and then prescribe the right treatment to help lower your blood pressure. We may also suggest that you monitor your blood pressure at home to verify that medication and efforts to modify your lifestyle are working.

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