Hypertension
(High Blood Pressure)
Healthcare Services
High Blood Pressure Monitoring and Management
Hypertension is often called “the silent killer” by doctors because patients could have it for years and never know. Typically, symptoms like headaches, chest pain and blood in urine only manifest after the condition has progressed to a dangerous level.
The good news is that if you’re keeping track of your blood pressure levels, people with hypertension can live productive, relatively normal lives. Vigilant primary prevention provided by a qualified local doctor who is trained to notice the signs of this invisible disease will be your best line of defense against dangerously high blood pressure levels.
How Is Hypertension Monitored?
Hypertension is primarily assessed during routine visits to your primary care physician. Hypertension monitoring focuses on two indicators: the pressure against your arteries when your heart beats and the pressure when it’s at rest. These measurements are known as systolic pressure and diastolic pressure respectively, with a normal reading being 120/80 mm Hg or lower. Anything higher than 130/88 mm Hg is typically indicative of hypertension.
To determine your systolic and diastolic pressure, your doctor will use a sphygmomanometer, or an inflated cuff placed around your upper arm after you’ve been seated for about three to five minutes. They may take another reading or two before the end of the appointment to verify their initial reading is accurate.
There is some concern in the healthcare field that blood pressure tests taken in a clinical setting may not be entirely accurate due to a phenomenon known as “White Coat Hypertension”, or when your blood pressure is higher in the doctor’s office than they are in your normal life.
Many people are nervous about going to the doctor. This anxiety can elevate your blood pressure above your normal, resting levels, which can taint in-office blood pressure test results and lead to an improper and ineffective treatment plan being prescribed.
Alternatively, some patients may actually feel calmer in the doctor’s office than normal if they deal with a lot of stress in their daily life. For example, someone with a stressful job might find a trip to the doctor to be a relaxing break, which can lead to “Masked Hypertension”, or a lower-than-normal blood pressure reading.
To combat these concerns, many doctors have started utilizing ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and home monitoring kits. These alternative methods can help ensure they’re diagnosing hypertension and prescribing treatments based on accurate blood pressure readings. At-home monitoring may be particularly important for high-risk patients, such as those who are obese, older than 65, smoking or pregnant.
What Is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)?
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is used when a long-term reading of your blood pressure is needed to ascertain your levels during your daily life. Your doctor will give you an upper arm cuff to wear over a 24-hour period. This cuff will take readings every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and every 30 to 60 minutes at night.
ABPM has proven to reduce the risk of white coat hypertension and masked hypertension while also giving doctors insight into nocturnal hypertension, a condition where your blood pressure levels rise while you sleep.
Management Strategies for Hypertension
- Adhere to Your Medications: Staying on top of your hypertension medication schedule – whether you’ve been prescribed diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers or a combination of medication and lifestyle changes – is crucial to maintain the efficacy of your treatment plan.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Follow a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, and reduce your intake of salt and processed foods.
- Stay Active: Exercising regularly, even just a 30-minute walk most days of the week, can help lower your blood pressure.
- Limit Alcohol and Avoid Tobacco: Limit alcohol consumption (no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men), and avoid tobacco use in all forms to reduce your risk of cardiovascular complications.
- Manage Stress: Stress-reduction techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises and yoga can help manage stress levels, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Houston patients can have peace of mind about their blood pressure levels when they consult with the experienced primary care physicians at St. Hope Healthcare. Our doctors have effective solutions for accurately diagnosing hypertension and developing focused treatment plans to manage the condition. Schedule your consultation today by calling (713) 778-1300.
