Hypertension Specialist
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North Texas Internal Medicine Specialists
Internal Medicine located in Plano, TX
Hypertension is a condition that can cause irreparable damage to blood vessels and major organs, and yet you may be oblivious that there’s anything wrong. Mihaela Perijoc, MD, MHA, of North Texas Internal Medicine Specialists in Plano, Texas, is a distinguished internal medicine specialist who encourages her patients to have regular blood pressure exams. Diagnosing hypertension takes just a few minutes, but it could be the key to saving your life. Call the clinic today to arrange a blood pressure check or book online.
Hypertension Q & A
What is hypertension?
You may recognize hypertension more readily as high blood pressure, and it’s a common cause of serious health problems, especially in older people. Having high blood pressure indicates that the force of the blood pumping through your arteries is at a dangerous level, leaving you vulnerable to a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.
A high blood pressure reading would be one where the systolic pressure (when your heart beats) is over 130, and the diastolic pressure (in between heartbeats) is over 80.
What effect does hypertension have on my health?
Hypertension can cause severe damage to arteries, leading to:
- Vision problems
- Heart attacks
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
The chief difficulty with hypertension is recognizing you have the condition, as it has few if any symptoms. Dr. Perijoc recommends patients have a regular blood pressure screening to check for hypertension, as early diagnosis ensures prompt treatment that can prevent serious complications.
If you have hypertension, Dr. Perijoc may run other tests to check for any damage caused by the high blood pressure, such as:
- Blood tests
- Lipid profile
- Adrenal and thyroid gland function
- Urine tests
- Eye exam
- Ultrasound s
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram (EKG)
These tests can pick up any problems with your blood vessels and organs such as your heart and kidneys that may be affected by high blood pressure.
How is hypertension treated?
One of the most important parts of treatment for hypertension is making lifestyle changes. Adopting healthier habits reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure. If you already have hypertension, changing your habits can help reduce your blood pressure to a healthier level. Changes to make include:
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing your salt intake
- Reducing your alcohol consumption
- Cutting down on saturated fat
- Tackling stress
A healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products can lower blood pressure and promote good general health. If your blood pressure reading is high, Dr. Perijoc can prescribe medication to bring it back to a healthier level.
If you haven’t had your blood pressure tested recently, make an appointment with Dr. Perijoc by calling North Texas Internal Medicine Specialists today or using the online booking tool.
