When you visited with your doctor, you may have heard the term “hypertension.” Oftentimes, medical terminology confuses patients and their loved ones leaving them uncertain about the prognosis, or expected course, of a medical condition. At Beverly Hills Cardiology, we understand that dealing with issues relating to the functioning of the cardiovascular system can be scary. It is for this reason that the Beverly Hills Cardiology team believes it is essential to fully explain key terms, such as hypertension, to alleviate the shock that can accompany the diagnosis of heart-related condition.

Hypertension is simply defined as high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force exerted on the walls of the arteries as the rushing blood is pumped through the body. When a healthcare professional is “taking your blood pressure,” this means that the arm cuff is pressing down on your veins in order to measure the level of force with which the blood is pumping and how it relates to your heart rate, which is why your heart rate is simultaneously tracked along with your blood pressure. Both the force at the moment when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and resting force in between beats (diastolic pressure) are measured. These measurements can change from when you are relaxing, sleeping, active, nervous or agitated. However, it is the normal blood pressure rate which is routinely checked during a healthcare visit.

If you are over 20, your blood pressure should ideally be less than 120 over less than 80 to be considered at an optimal level. While regular minor fluctuations are expected from one visit to the next, hypertension is diagnosed when your blood pressure consistently reaches 140 over 90 or above. This means your heart is exerting greater force to pump the blood through your body than is considered safe, which indicates that a treatment plan must be put into place to care for your heart. A treatment plan may include the following: medication; exercise to maintain a healthy weight; healthy eating of low-fat proteins, vegetables and fruit; cutting down on salt and caffeine intake; avoiding any consumption of alcohol, high fat and processed foods; and quitting smoking. Persistent, unchecked hypertension can lead to devastating consequences, such as heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension or borderline hypertension, it is necessary that you visit with an extensively experienced cardiologist, like the highly regarded Dr. Shervin Eshaghian M.D. of Beverly Hills Cardiology, to be evaluated and a treatment plan created that will safeguard your heart and health. Contact our supporting and informative staff today by calling (310) 858-6500 to schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Eshaghian in our state-of-the-art facility where you can rest easy knowing you are under the watchful eye of a superior medical team.

On May 27th, 2015 / Beverly Hills Cardiologist, Healthy Heart, Heart Conditions / Comments off